Author: Sara Burnett
-
Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff
CHICAGO • Four years ago, Paul Vallas finished toward the bottom of the pack in a crowded race for Chicago mayor. Trying again, focused this time on crime, he was the top vote getter Tuesday, toppling the incumbent mayor and advancing to an April runoff to lead one of the country’s largest cities. His new…
-
GOP wins slim House majority
WASHINGTON • Republicans won control of the U.S. House on Wednesday, returning the party to power in Washington and giving conservatives leverage to blunt President Joe Biden’s agenda and spur a flurry of investigations. But a threadbare majority will pose immediate challenges for GOP leaders and complicate the party’s ability to govern. More than a…
-
GOP closing in on House win; Senate control up for grabs
WASHINGTON • Republicans were closing in Wednesday on a narrow House majority while control of the Senate hinged on a series of tight races in a midterm election that defied expectations of sweeping conservative victories driven by frustration over inflation and President Joe Biden’s leadership. Either party could secure a Senate majority with wins in…
-
Democrat Barnes set to challenge GOP Wisconsin Sen. Johnson
MADISON, Wis. • Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes won the Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday and will face two-term Republican Sen. Ron Johnson in what is expected to be one of the country’s most competitive races for control of the U.S. Senate. Barnes’ top rivals dropped out of the race late last month and backed…
-
Michigan GOP hopeful charged in Jan. 6 riot, roiling primary
DETROIT • A Republican candidate for Michigan governor and defender of former President Donald Trump was charged with misdemeanors Thursday for his role in the 2021 postelection riot at the U.S. Capitol, further complicating an already messy GOP primary. Ryan Kelley, 40, was arrested in western Michigan, FBI spokeswoman Mara Schneider said. He appeared at…
-
No charges against 2 Chicago officers in fatal shootings
CHICAGO • No charges will be filed against the Chicago police officers who chased and fatally shot 13-year-old Adam Toledo and 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez within days of each other last year, prompting criticism of how the department handles foot pursuits, a prosecutor announced Tuesday. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said there was insufficient evidence…
-
Lawyers: FBI lured men for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. • The four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were swayed by informants and federal agents who targeted them for their anti-government views, defense attorneys said Wednesday, portraying the men as big talkers and wannabes who never meant what they said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth argued that…
-
Smollett convicted of staging attack, lying to police
CHICAGO • Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was convicted Thursday on charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it. In the courtroom as the verdict was read, Smollett stood and faced the jury, showing no visible reaction. The jury found the 39-year-old…
-
Jury begins deliberations in trial of actor Smollett
CHICAGO • The jury in Jussie Smollett’s trial started deliberating Wednesday, after a prosecutor said there is “overwhelming evidence” that the former “Empire” actor lied to police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist attack and his defense attorney said the charges are based on lies. The deliberations began after a roughly one-week trial…
-
Smollett back on stand after calling hoax claim ‘100% false’
CHICAGO • Jussie Smollett on Tuesday repeatedly denied he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself for publicity, telling a prosecutor as the trial neared its end that “there was no hoax on my part” and that two brothers who testified against him are “liars.” Lawyers for the former “Empire” actor rested their case shortly…