"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Former Chicago detective pleads guilty to DUI that killed 2

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:26 PM PDT

A former Chicago police detective pleaded guilty today to aggravated driving under the influence for crashing into a stalled car on the Dan Ryan Expressway in a fiery wreck that killed two men in their early 20s more than three years ago.

Scarlett Johansson to young voters: Get involved

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:06 PM PDT

Actress Johansson addresses delegates during the final session of the Democratic National Convention in CharlotteCHARLOTTE, N.C.—Actress Scarlett Johansson scolded fellow young voters on Thursday for failing to turn out in past elections, asking "why are we speaking with half our voice" when the choice in November could have sweeping repercussions for issues they care about. "You know who I'm voting for. I'm not going to tell you who to [...]

Giffords leads Dems in Pledge of Allegiance

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:02 PM PDT

Former Rep. Giffords (D-AZ) blows a kiss after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the final session of the Democratic National Convention in CharlotteFormer Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, grievously wounded in a January 2011 assassination attempt, led Democrats in the Pledge of Allegiance on Thursday as they opened the final day of their political convention. Giffords walked uneasily onstage, relying on Democratic National Committee Chair—and close friend—Debbie Wasserman Schultz for support, as the crowd chanted "Gabby! Gabby!" [...]

Obama promises his policies will lead to 'a better place'

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:34 PM PDT

President Obama, asking America for another four years in office, outlined a broad series of goals Thursday including deficit reduction, greater energy independence, lower college costs and a revitalized manufacturing industry.

Road to jobs not 'quick or easy': Excerpts from Obama speech

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:34 PM PDT

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks in Norfolk, Va. The U.S. health care system squanders $750 billion a year — roughly 30 cents of every medical dollar — through unneeded care, Byzantine paperwork, fraud and other waste, the influential Institute of Medicine said Thursday in a report that ties directly into the presidential campaign. President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney are accusing each other of trying to slash Medicare and put seniors at risk. But the counter-intuitive finding from the report is that deep cuts are possible without rationing, and a leaner system may even produce better quality. ( AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)President Barack Obama plans to warn American voters who may be wary of giving him a second term in the White House that it will take "more than a few years" to revive the economy and create jobs while pleading for another chance to chart a course he warned would not be "quick or easy." [...]

Who to watch for tonight at the Democratic National Convention

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:32 PM PDT

Recording artists Foo Fighters perform during final session of Democratic National Convention in Charlotte6:30 p.m-7 p.m. Speeches from Democratic National Committee chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa, Wisconsin senate candidate Rep. Tammy Baldwin, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Jim Messina, Obama campaign manager introduces auto workers and American voices: Kenyetta Jones, Ryan Case, Ed Meagher, Martha Figueroa, Lucas Beenken, Rob [...]

Joe Biden tears up as son renominates ‘my father, my hero’

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:36 PM PDT

U.S. Vice President Biden and his wife Jill listen to Biden's son, Beau Biden, address the final session of the Democratic National Convention in CharlotteVice President Joe Biden barely fought back tears late Thursday after his son Beau Biden renominated "my father, my hero" for a second term—and cheering Democrats agreed without dissent. "Four years ago, I told you that my father has always been there for me, my brother, and my sister, and that as vice president, he [...]

3 injured when SUV crashes into building

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:41 PM PDT

Three people were injured when a sport-utility vehicle hit a building in the Cragin neighborhood this afternoon, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Where'd the time go? Obama girls now young women

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:09 PM PDT

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2012 file image originally released by the White House, President Barack Obama and his daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, watch first lady Michelle Obama speak at the Democratic National Convention on television from the Treaty Room of the White House. For many TV viewers, who may not have seen much of the Obama girls since election night or the convention four years ago, it will surely be a surprise to see how much the Obama daughters have grown when they appear in Charlotte Thursday night. (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza, file)Who are those tall, willowy young women with Barack and Michelle Obama — and where'd they hide little Sasha and Malia?

Dancing traffic cop attracts applause at DNC

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 01:44 PM PDT

CHARLOTTE--Who says directing traffic has to be boring? Several dancing police officers who are in charge of managing the snarl of traffic surrounding the Democratic National Convention have attracted applause from onlookers with their colorful approach. Check out some of their moves in our video above, and in onlookers' videos below.

Colo. shooting suspect predicted to be 'leader in the future'

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Colo. Shooting Suspect James Holmes Predicted to Be a 'Leader in the Future'Records from the University of Alabama at Birmingham show that though James Holmes was declined admission, one staffer predicted Holmes would be "a leader in the future."

Third death linked to Yosemite hantavirus outbreak

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:32 PM PDT

A West Virginian is the third person to die so far from a rodent-borne illness linked to some tent cabins at Yosemite National Park that has now stricken eight people in all, health officials said Thursday.

CPS announces which schools to be open during strike

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 01:14 PM PDT

Chicago Public Schools on Thursday released a list of 144 schools that will be open for half-day programs if there is a teachers strike next week.

Convention notebook: Chicago cops in Charlotte

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:21 PM PDT

For Chicago delegates looking for a little piece of home, there was a familiar sight on the streets of Charlotte: officers from the Chicago Police Department.

Obama: ‘Safety issue’ prompted speech venue shift

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 01:16 PM PDT

People run for cover from the pouring rain during the final day of the Democratic National ConventionCHARLOTTE, N.C.—President Barack Obama told disappointed campaign volunteers shut out of his prime-time acceptance speech by a venue change in Charlotte that he did not want to expose them to "thunder and lightning." "I just want to begin by saying how much I regret that we're not all gathering together in one place to deliver [...]

Peterson juror: Guilty verdict 'a tough decision'

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:49 PM PDT

Retired Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson has been found guilty of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio. One juror said the verdict "was a tough decision...We had to do what we had to do, but I think it was just."

Jury convicts Drew Peterson of 3rd wife's death

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:33 PM PDT

FILE - In this May 8, 2009 file photo, former Bolingbrook, Ill., police sergeant Drew Peterson leaves the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Ill., after his arraignment on charges of first-degree murder in the 2004 death of his former wife Kathleen Savio. On Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2012, jurors at Peterson's trial withdrew to begin deliberations on whether Peterson murdered his third wife. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)Capping a sensational, five-year legal saga, a jury convicted the swaggering ex-Illinois police officer of murder.

Urlacher 'not up to speed,' but knee feels 'good'

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:56 AM PDT

Linebacker Brian Urlacher said his left knee is feeling "good" as he continues to prepare for the Bears' season opener Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Steelworker featured at DNC didn't work for Bain

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:53 AM PDT

Democratic National Convention: Day 2The DNC featured three speakers billed as "former employees of companies controlled by Bain Capital." But it turns out one of them never actually worked for a company controlled by Bain Capital.

NBC's Brokaw leaves hospital, in 'great health'

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 12:32 PM PDT

FILE - This Jan. 12, 2012 file photo shows NBC News special correspondent and former "Today" show host Tom Brokaw attending the "Today" show 60th anniversary celebration at the Edison Ballroom in New York. Brokaw was taken to a Charlotte, N.C., hospital Thursday morning after appearing on MSNBC's NBC News special correspondent Tom Brokaw has been discharged from a Charlotte, N.C., hospital and pronounced "in great health" after feeling light-headed during a TV appearance Thursday morning.