Anyone who assaults an employee enforcing the use of masks can now be prosecuted as aggravated battery in Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker passed a law last week that adds a penalty for assaulting a worker who’s “conveying public health guidance” — that is, telling patrons of a business to wear a mask or maintain social…… MORE
Protesters demonstrated outside the Ferguson Police Department on Sunday night to mark the 6th anniversary of the police killing of Michael Brown. Ferguson Police said over 100 people gathered at the department, and police ultimately arrested four protesters for failure to disperse. Brown, an unarmed Black 18-year-old, was shot and killed in the street in…… MORE
It only took a few months for Illinois’ budding recreational marijuana industry to blossom — even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Gov. J.B. Prizker passed bipartisan legislation legalizing marijuana for recreational use and sale in the state — the 11th in the nation to do so – starting January 1, 2020. When the pandemic…… MORE
One woman died and three people were hospitalized in serious condition after a major explosion in a residential area of Baltimore, according to Blair Adams, Public Information Officer for the Baltimore City Fire Department. Three homes were reduced to rubble in a major gas explosion, Adams said. Officials are investigating the cause and crews are…… MORE
A teen who shared a photo of a crowded hallway at her Georgia high school last week says she has been receiving threats after the image went viral. North Paulding High School sophomore Hannah Watters told CNN she and her family and friends have been receiving screenshots of group chats with threatening language against her.…… MORE
A 7-month-old baby and six other people were taken to the hospital with various injuries after a car struck a Mennonite horse and buggy in the Finger Lakes region of New York state Sunday. The driver of the car was attempting to pass another vehicle when they struck the horse and buggy around 5 p.m.…… MORE
Before deciding on whether to hold the 80th annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, the local city council turned to its residents to get their take. “There was a significant amount of discussion that the council had with residents, businesses and state health officials as well as local health officials,” Daniel Ainslie, the city…… MORE
More than 100 people were arrested in Chicago after an overnight fit of violence that appears to have begun with police exchanging gunfire with a 20-year-old man, Police Superintendent David Brown said Monday. This was not a protest, he made clear, dubbing it instead “an incident of pure criminality.” Thirteen officers were injured in frays…… MORE
Oil demands are still suffering because of the pandemic, but on the bright side, that could force big names to invest more in clean energy alternatives. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered…… MORE
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot didn’t hold back when she spotted large crowds gathered at Montrose Beach. “It’s called a pandemic, people. This reckless behavior on Montrose Beach is what will cause us to shut down the parks and lakefront,” the mayor posted on Twitter Saturday. “Don’t make us take steps backwards.” In the photo accompanying…… MORE
