Tag: Chicago

Rat birth control program expanding to Albany Park

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Rats feeding beside spilled food and overflowing trash bins on an urban street

Chicago is consistently named one of the “rattiest” cities in America and an effort to change that is expanding. As more communities are turning to rat birth control, community leaders on the Northwest Side are trying something new — getting neighbors involved. A community info session was held on Tuesday night a few weeks ahead of the launch of a new rat birth control program in Albany Park by the North River Commission.

It’s similar to programs seen in Bucktown and Lincoln Park. “They’ve seen a reduction in the rat population,” said program manager Farah Elnahal.  Elisabeth Hays lives in the area and says the expansion can’t come soon enough. “My house is out of control. There’s rats in our yard. My dog is always like trying to catch them. It’s awful,” she said. “My car … they ate my radiator lines recently. They ate a craft project I made. It’s out of control.” An out-of-control problem she says is costing her. The repair set her back $900 and was not covered by her insurance. “Yeah, this would be amazing if it’s successful,” she said. Reps with Evolve were at the meeting, too, saying the bait is a nontoxic, nonlethal approach that restricts fertility in male and female rodents.

It takes one to two breeding cycles — or six to eight weeks — to see results. One goal is to see less property damage. Unlike other communities that used third parties to deploy the bait, program leaders in Albany Park want to get neighbors involved. About 10 to 12 volunteers will fill about 40 bait stations across the area. “Albany Park does have a big restaurant community and especially on Lawrence and Kimball here. We also have the Kimball Brown Line station. So we do see a lot of pedestrian activity. So we think this is the best place to start,” Elnahal said. The launch of the program is set for the end of October

Source: Rat birth control program expanding to Albany Park – CBS Chicago

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31

Plague in Russia?

Russian authorities have sought to allay global worries over the death of a young woman who worked at a Siberian anti-plague laboratory. But moves to isolate her contacts and…

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Fighter jets intercept aircraft that violate airspace during President Trump’s Chicago-area visit

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Two fighter jets flying upward with vapor trails and a distant airplane

There was a scramble in the skies Sunday tied to President Trump’s visit to the Chicago area. Fighter jets intercepted multiple planes that violated flight restrictions. Witnesses caught videos of the jets in the skies, apparently armed and ready to handle any threat. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, said 15 general aviation aircraft, a category that includes private planes and helicopters, entered airspace that was supposed to be restricted while the president was in town.

Fighter jets performed intercepts to redirect 10 pilots. In two instances, the jets fired flares to get the pilots’ attention and forced them to change course. NORAD said the flares may have been visible to the public, but always burn out quickly and completely and pose no danger to anyone on the ground. NORAD said all the situations were safely resolved, and no one was hurt. Nearly 1,800 flights were delayed at O’Hare International Airport on Sunday. It was unclear late Sunday whether those delays were because of flight restrictions or a nor’easter hitting the East Coast.

President Trump on Sunday paid a visit to the Medinah Country Club outside of Chicago for the last day of the Presidents Cup golf tournament, serving as the honorary chairman. His presence in the Chicagoland area brought crowds of supporters and protesters.

Source: Fighter jets intercept aircraft that violate airspace during President Trump’s Chicago-area visit – CBS Chicago

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
Romans 14:1

2 Timothy 3:12 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted Paul was reminding Timothy that following Christ does not guarantee an easy life. When…

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John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its…

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Galatians 1:6-10

“When truth becomes negotiable, faith becomes vulnerable so know the Gospel, stand on God’s Word, and seek His approval above the world’s applause.” “I am astonished that…

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Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, This…

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Inmate, 10 correctional officers hospitalized after mattress fire at Cook County Jail

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Smoke-filled correctional corridor with emergency responders

An inmate and 10 Cook County Jail correctional officers were hospitalized Sunday afternoon after a mattress fire. The Cook County Sheriff’s office said around 3 p.m. Sunday, deputies were called to for a mattress fire that appeared to have been set by an inmate inside his cell on Tier 5A in the Residential Treatment Unit. The sheriff’s office said deputies quickly put out the fire and evacuated the inmate, who was the only one in the cell.

The process of putting out the fire created smoke, so everyone in Tier 5A and all other tiers on the fifth floor were evacuated as a precaution, the sheriff’s office said. The person in custody in the cell where the fire started was taken to a hospital in good condition. Ten correctional deputies were also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation as a precaution, the sheriff’s office said. The inmate was later discharged and returned to jail.

Source: Inmate, 10 correctional officers hospitalized after mattress fire at Cook County Jail – CBS Chicago

One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious…

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Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the morning while people…

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25 years after 9/11, Indiana man who survived World Trade Center attack still making sure America never forgets

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Lower Manhattan skyline with the original World Trade Center towers

Across the country on Friday, ceremonies will honor the thousands who lost their lives 25 years ago in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and among the survivors, a Dyer, Indiana, resident is on a mission. On Sept. 11, 2001, Don Bacso was working as an IT consultant for a Chicago-based company. When American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower of the World Trade Center between the 93th and 94th floor, Bacso was on the 57th floor.

“I was loading software into a computer when the first plane struck. It hit at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Standard Time,” he said. “It was unbelievable. It was terrifying. You could hear beams creaking in the walls.” Bacso said the scariest moment for him was when the World Trade Center started to sway. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh my God, I am in this building, and it’s trying to fall. Which way do I run?'” he said. He ran to the stairs like many others “People were having panic attacks, asthma attacks.

Every once in a while you would hear, ‘Injured coming down, move to the right,’ and that was the first time I saw how badly burned some people were as they brought them by us,” he said. It took about half an hour for Bacso to get down the stairs, find his way through the smoke and debris, walk to his hotel, and call his young family. “I said, ‘Just know that I’m okay. I’m fine and I will come home. I will get home,'” he said. When he looks back on that day, Bacso can’t believe it’s been 25 years. “It passed by so quickly. I look back on that day and everything that I saw. I mean, the destruction, the devastation, the pain, the suffering, all that; but I saw so much courage in that, too,” he said.

He’s talking about the medical personnel, firefighters, and police officers who went into the World Trade Center after the planes hit. “I’ve never seen anything like it. They were going in and we were coming down. People have said to me in the past that, ‘You’re a hero,'” he said. “No, the heroes were going up that day. I was going down.” More than 400 emergency responders died during 9/11, the vast majority of them firefighters. Bacso’s mission the last 25 years has been doing his part to make sure America never forgets by sharing his story of survival. “We can’t forget that day. We can’t forget the sacrifice and the loss of lives from that day, and the courage and patriotism,” he said.

Bacso plans to leave a suitcase with his clothes, shoes, and World Trade Center ID badge from that day, along with other mementos, to his sons. He wants them to carry on his mission to continue sharing his story. “All these things, the badges, you know, the articles, things like that, I’ve got to turn it over to my sons for their families,” he said. “A lot of people don’t understand how precious your life is until you experience something like that.” That’s what he plans to do as long as he can, so America won’t forget “If I can express to them when I go out and speak, and talk about life, and talk about how it affected my life, I feel like it’s a great benefit to them, and it benefits me too internally,” he said.

Source: 25 years after 9/11, Indiana man who survived World Trade Center attack still making sure America never forgets – CBS Chicago

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15

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Midday storm threat in Chicago area on Friday

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Chicago skyline with lightning beneath dramatic storm clouds

Thunderstorms return to the Chicago area on Friday.  Most of the morning remains dry, but by lunchtime, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into the Chicago area. 

Storms could be severe, with a level 2 out of 5; a slight risk is in place. Damaging winds up to 60-65 miles per hour and large hail will be the primary threats.  Storms wind down late this evening.  Northwest Indiana preparing for storms amid ongoing power outages It’s day eleven without power for tens of thousands of people in Northwest Indiana as more storms move in on Friday.  There are still more than 44,000 NIPSCO customers without power. The GEO Foundation School is the only one with power, and it’s a place people are calling a lifeline as much of Gary remains in the dark. 

The school will hold full classes and provide lunch and take-home dinners for its students, parents, and staff who are waking up in the dark yet again on Friday.  Lake County is one of 22 counties in Indiana to issue an emergency declaration, which will help bring in additional state resources. There’s also a state disaster relief fund now available— impacted residents can qualify for emergency aid grants of up to $5,000. It’s designed to help families secure any essential items they may need during this time.

Source: Midday storm threat in Chicago area on Friday – CBS Chicago

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most…

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Gary, Indiana residents must wait until Tuesday for power, 9 days after storm knocked it out

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Utility crews repairing storm-damaged power lines from orange bucket trucks

Nine days after the storm that was to blame for it all, tens of thousands of people yet again woke up without power in Northwest Indiana on Thursday. In Gary, NIPSCO said the power won’t be back on until next week. Things really came to a boiling point for some people in Gary in the last 24 hours after NIPSCO released estimated power restoration times for different areas across Northwest Indiana, but initially left Gary off the list. The latest update on the NIPSCO website as of Thursday morning indicated that Gary was set to get power back on Tuesday. Residents were frustrated after already having been without power for more than a week. “That’s ridiculous. It’s unacceptable.

They need to do better,” said Bridget Sanders. “We are being left behind every time something goes on. Gary is left behind.  We are the last ones on the totem pole to get anything done.” Utility crews have been working around the clock to repair the nearly 300 power poles left damaged in recent storms. Meanwhile, food critic and popular social media personality Keith Lee said he is coming to Gary this weekend as part of his Midwest food tour. He posted to social media about the situation with the power, saying he hopes to help deliver some meals or supplies for people in need. Several restaurants along Broadway in Gary have been able to reopen this week, with others hoping to reopen by later Thursday or Friday. Public schools in Gary will remain closed through this week.

Officials from the Gary Community School Corporation said they will have a better sense of a return date over the weekend. Meantime, they are beginning repairs and preparing for when students can return.

Source: Gary, Indiana residents must wait until Tuesday for power, 9 days after storm knocked it out – CBS Chicago

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around…

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9 hikers from Chicago, Indiana rescued after getting lost in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

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Kentucky Hikers

Nine young men are safe after getting lost and eventually being rescued while hiking in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge over the weekend. They had traveled from northwest Indiana looking for a quick getaway after severe storms hit their area.  Members of the search-and-rescue team who helped save the friends say the area is extremely treacherous and potentially dangerous even in daylight and perfect conditions. The incident happened Saturday night as a storm moved in.  The friends, looking to get away from storms, found themselves stranded in the dark, surrounded by steep cliffs and unsure which way to turn.

“We shined our flashlights, and it just looked like a straight drop, like a straight cliff and at that point we were pretty scared,” said Zach Salus.  “Most of us, I think, were scared we were going to be stranded,” said Michael Zaronias. The friends say trying to find their way back was quickly disorienting. They didn’t have any survival supplies, no food or water and at first say there were some disagreements on what to do next. “Kind of a lot of differing opinions. People wanting to leave, people wanting to stay, people wanting to go another way,” Zaronias said. “It was very easy for one of us to either split up or even fall,” said Zach Salus.

They ultimately called for help around 9:30 p.m. The Wolfe County Search and Rescue team was able to find the stranded hikers using their coordinates near the Indian staircase in the Red River Gorge. They managed to exit the trail around 2 a.m. Sunday. “We really commend them for doing the right thing, because it could have been a completely different story, and that is not even an official trail there,” said Kevin Osborn with the Wolfe County Search and Rescue team. He says with bad weather moving in and the rugged terrain, a 30-foot line was used to get all nine guys down safely. “It’s a really, really beautiful place, and after dark, it can also be a very dangerous place, because of all the cliffs,” Osborn said.

“One of the happiest groups of people we’ve, I think, that I’ve ever seen that we’ve rescued.” “The people who rescued us were … they were beautiful souls, like, they were super nice. They definitely calmed our nerves a lot,” said Caiden Kupsik. The whole ordeal lasted about four and a half hours from the time the guys called for help to when they were rescued.  To avoid similar situations, it is advised to download maps, bring flashlights, pack water and food and call for help right away if you do get lost.  

Source: 9 hikers from Chicago, Indiana rescued after getting lost in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge – CBS Chicago

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:16

Reclaiming Attention From Distractions

Pip: Drink of Jesus has been asking a question your phone’s algorithm would really prefer you not think about: what if the thing eating your attention is the distraction? Mara: That’s the thread…

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Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right now,…

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God as Your Ever-Present Help

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a…

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Newly discovered “black hole star” could solve mystery of strange red dots spotted in the early universe

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Black hole surrounded by a glowing, swirling accretion disk in space

Astronomers announced Wednesday they had discovered a new type of astronomical object called a “black hole star,” potentially solving a mystery involving strange red dots spotted in the early universe. The object looks like a star the size of our solar system, but produces 100 billion times more energy than any star — a mighty blast of power closer to what is produced by a black hole. The black hole star, which dates from 660 million years after the Big Bang, was spotted by a U.S.-led team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. Since history’s most powerful telescope went online in 2022, it has been spotting many extremely bright cosmic objects dubbed “little red dots” in the early universe that have baffled scientists.

“What exactly these objects are has been one of the most debated topics of the JWST era,” lead study author Rohan Naidu of the University of Hawaii said in a statement. The team had been trying to find clues for a different mystery: why JWST keeps finding bright galaxies in the universe’s infancy, when it was thought to have been too early for them to have become so huge. But while looking through the images, they spotted a little red dot. “Pure black hole star light” “When we see something very red in the universe, we often assume that it is surrounded by dust, like soot or ash,” said Robert Simcoe, a study co-author from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “The same way that the wildfire smoke from Canada recently made the sky in Boston look bright red, astronomical objects can also appear redder than their intrinsic color when you see them through a veil of dust,” he added.

However, when the team sifted through their data, they found that at certain wavelengths, the object’s light simply disappeared. To their surprise, this suggested that it is not dust making this object appear red — it is hydrogen gas. This explained the object’s color, but not how it could be pumping out so much energy. “You can’t be powering this by nuclear fusion, which is the energy source that sits at the heart of all the stars,” Naidu explained. Using modeling simulations, they determined the most likely scenario was that the object is powered by a central black hole surrounded by a cocoon of gas that makes it resemble a star. The team named the object MoM-BH*-1. The BH and asterisk are for black hole star — and the number one suggests they believe there are more out there. “Every little red dot is consistent with being a black hole star,” Naidu said. “What is special about MoM-BH*-1 is, the black hole star is essentially completely outshining its surrounding host galaxy, such that we’re seeing pure black hole star light.”

Webb reveals dust and water surviving near Milky Way’s central black hole Separately, a team of astronomers announced on Tuesday that the Webb telescope revealed dust and water surviving in the extreme environment of a star located near the Milky Way’s central black hole. Scientists say the new observations provide the most detailed mid-infrared view yet of the star IRS 3, which is located just 0.55 light-years from Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way galaxy’s central supermassive black hole. By analyzing the star’s infrared light with the Webb telescope, the research team identified signs of oxygen-rich dust and, for the first time, detected water in the star’s surrounding envelope. The results show that evolved stars like IRS 3 can still produce dust and other materials important for the creation of future stars – even under the harsh conditions near a supermassive black hole. Webb’s mid-infrared data revealed the clear signature of oxygen-rich silicate dust, as well as, for the first time, water, in IRS 3’s dust envelope. Even under the harsh conditions of its environment, stars can produce dust, which will help create future generations of stars!

“Galactic centers are among the most extreme environments, so understanding whether stars can continue enriching their surroundings there is an important question,” said lead author Florian Peißker of the University of Cologne in Germany. “With Webb, we can directly observe how stars behave under these conditions and see that dust production remains remarkably resilient.”

Source: Newly discovered “black hole star” could solve mystery of strange red dots spotted in the early universe – CBS Chicago

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

The Distraction of Fear

Fear has a way of making tomorrow feel more real than today. But you were never meant to live inside a future that hasn’t happened yet, you were called to trust the…

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3 people rescued by Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office after going missing in water near Lake Villa

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The Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office Marine Unit rescued three swimmers they said otherwise could have drowned in a lake near Lake Villa this weekend. Around 2:50 p.m. Saturday, sheriff’s deputies were on patrol in Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa with personal watercraft provided through the Sea-Doo public safety loan program. The operator of a rental boat with several people celebrating a bachelor party onboard flagged down the deputies, said he was inexperienced in operating boats, and was looking for three friends who had gone missing in the water, the sheriff’s office said. A search commenced, and the three were found about 100 yards from the rental boat, the sheriff’s office said.

They were showing signs of distress and trying to stay afloat. Deputies got to all the people in the water before any of them slipped beneath the surface, and got them all to grab onto a rescue bar on the Sea-Doo personal watercraft the deputies were using. All were rescued and got back on the rental boat, the sheriff’s office said. Lake County Sheriff’s Office The boat operator was not under the influence, but alcohol was a factor in why the three people ended up off the boat, the sheriff’s office said.   “We have worked hard over the years to build and strengthen our Marine Unit, and this is exactly why.  Three young adults who had been drinking and were not wearing life jackets could have lost their lives,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a news release. “Because our Marine Unit was on the water and ready to respond, and thanks to our valued partnership with Nielsen Enterprises, which provides the personal watercraft our deputies use, they were rescued before tragedy struck.”

Source: 3 people rescued by Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office after going missing in water near Lake Villa – CBS Chicago

Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
Psalm 112:6

Too Busy to Hear God

You can be so busy doing things for God that you never stop long enough to hear from God. Sometimes the biggest distraction in your life isn’t rebellion, it’s simply being too busy to be still.…

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Who Has Your Attention?

Your attention is one of the most valuable things you own, and everyone wants a piece of it. The question isn’t whether something is getting your attention—the question is whether Jesus is getting enough of it.…

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Lifeguard rescues dog at Hilton Head beach

A Hilton Head Island lifeguard saved a beach-goer’s dog Thursday morning. Lifeguard Otávio Cunha from Hilton Head’s Shore Beach Service swam 60 yards to rescue the K-9, according to a Facebook post from the organization. The…

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Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and…

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Cougar spotted roaming Minnesota community

Forty miles west of Minneapolis, Howard Lake mixes water recreation with country living. But a couple weeks ago, the small town got a visit from an unexpected feline guest. A security camera captured video of what…

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Chicago teens learning firefighting skills at “Camp Courage”

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Group of Chicago firefighters holding and spraying water from a hose during training with city buildings in background

Teens from across Chicago on Monday were learning firsthand what it takes to be a firefighter. The Chicago Fire Department is hosting “Camp Courage” at the Engine Company No. 121 firehouse in the Beverly neighborhood. The first day of camp on Monday focuses on firefighting skills. Teens learned how to quickly put on a firefighter’s protective bunker gear. On Tuesday, the teens will participate in emergency medical services training. The campers graduate on Wednesday. In addition to teaching teens about firefighting, organizers said the camp aims to teach them leadership and team-building skills.

Source: Chicago teens learning firefighting skills at “Camp Courage” – CBS Chicago

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10

Faith Under Pressure

Pip: Drink of Jesus is a site that treats ancient Scripture the way a good contractor treats load-bearing walls — you don’t move them just because the room looks dated. Mara: Today we’re…

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Shepherds Who Neglect the Flock

The deepest wounds are often inflicted by those entrusted to care for our souls. But when earthly shepherds fail, the Good Shepherd never abandons His sheep. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds…

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Illinois leading U.S. in tornadoes with 140 so far in 2026

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dramatic sky over rural wheat field

Thursday night’s tornado outbreak in the Chicago area continues a concerning trend of increasing tornado frequency in the Upper Midwest. With 140 tornadoes so far this year, Illinois leads the nation in tornado count for the third of the last four years. In a distant second place is Mississippi with 82 tornadoes this year, and Missouri comes in third with 62.  It’s the fourth year in a row that Illinois has surpassed 100 tornadoes. Illinois averages only 54 tornadoes per year, according to the Illinois State Climatologist’s Office.

As CBS News Chicago reported in February, we may be witnessing what climate researchers have long expected in a warming climate. As human activities add greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, a warmer climate is making the traditional Tornado Alley in the Plains hotter and more arid. This change shifts the more favorable tornado ingredients eastward into the Midwest and Deep South, and leads to more tornadoes in Illinois. Thursday’s tornado outbreak comes during the typical peak of tornado activity in Illinois. Tornado frequency typically peaks between April and June in the Chicago area. It follows a very unusual early-season tornado outbreak on March 10 that brought a deadly EF-3 tornado to Kankakee and Newton counties.

Source: Illinois leading U.S. in tornadoes with 140 so far in 2026 – CBS Chicago

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.
Ephesians 4:4

The Weight of Leadership

“A church can survive criticism, but it cannot thrive without integrity. When spiritual leaders forget they answer first to God, the flock always bears the wounds.” “Not many of you…

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Heaven is for Real Movie

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God’s Here

After losing his wife and son in a tragic accident, a firefighter wrestles with grief and forgiveness. Starring Kevin Sorbo (God’s Not Dead), Sarah Elizabeth Reeves Director: Bill McAdams Jr.…

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National Weather Service confirms multiple tornadoes with Streator, Merrillville among hardest hit areas

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uprooted tree cut in pieces

Residents across Illinois and Indiana are cleaning up from severe damage after destructive tornadoes and severe storms hit on Thursday night.  As of Friday evening, the National Weather Service has confirmed at least seven tornado touchdowns on June 11, including an EF-3 tornado in Kouts, Indiana, an EF-3 tornado in Streator, Illinois, an EF-2 tornado in Merrillville, Indiana, an EF-1 tornado in Bartlett , Illinois, an EF-1 tornado near Dwight, Illinois, an Ef-1 tornado in Wenona, Illinois, and an EF-0 tornado in St. John, Indiana. Storm survey crews will be deployed across the area to assess the extent of damage, which officials said could take several days. 

Thousands without power across Illinois, Indiana   ComEd officials provided an update on Friday morning on the storm restoration efforts following the back-to-back storms.  ComEd said the 80 miles per hour winds had the biggest impact on their service area. Officials said nearly 3,000 employees have been working to restore power.  “Our crews are working as fast as possible to get you back online,” ComEd officials said.  ComEd’s chief operating officer said Wednesday’s storm affected around 550,000 customers. It is estmated 80% of those outages have been restored and the rest should be complete by Saturday at 11 p.m. The second round of storms on Thursday night impacted some of the same customers. Around 150,000 customers were impacted, and 70,000 have had their power restored. 

ComEd expects to restore power to the majority of its customers by Sunday.  Customers can check for alerts on the ComEd website.   As of 11 a.m. on Friday, nearly 62,000 NIPSCO customers in Indiana were without power. NIPSCO.  Gary, Dyer, and Chesterton are among the areas in Indiana most impacted by the outages. NIPSCO had to shut off power to most of the city on Thursday night.  NIPSCO customers can report outages here.  Cleanup continues after destructive tornadoes  Cleanup for the extensive damage stretching from the western suburbs to northwest Indiana is underway for the areas hit hardest.    In Streator, Illinois, about 80 miles southwest of Chicago, multiple houses were completely destroyed after a tornado touched down. Trees were shredded and came crashing down on cars and roofs.  There’s a lot of hard work ahead for cleanup and repairs, but after two days of storms, and a slew of tornadoes, Friday provided calm sunny weather as cleanup efforts began in Streator.

Several homes were destroyed, multiple cars were heavily damaged, and debris was scattered across the city after the storms ripped through. Many damaged homes will have to be torn down and rebuilt. At one home in Streator, police officers, neighbors, and a video journalist following the storms helped rescue a man pinned under debris after the house collapsed. The man suffered a broken leg and will require surgery, but otherwise will be okay. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported from Thursday’s storms in Illinois. Extensive damage also was reported in Bridgeview, Illinois, where trees were uprooted, and telephone poles snapped.  The fire chief said two apartment buildings were evacuated, and residents are taking refuge at the Bridgeview Village Hall.  The National Weather Service will be conducting a survey in Bridgeview on Friday. 

Overnight, officials in Merrillville, Indiana, warned residents of road closures in the downtown area due to downed trees and power lines. Officials said a command center was established near 61st and Cleveland streets.  “Please stay clear of any fallen utility lines or damaged utility poles as these pose a serious safety risk,” officials said.  A resident told CBS News Chicago he lost his gazebo and backyard area. “As you can see, it’s all collapsed.”  The Andrean High School campus in Merrillville will remain closed on Friday due to significant damage.  “There are active power lines, downed trees, broken glass, significant roof damage, etc., that make it unsafe,” school officials said in a Facebook post. “While we assess the damage, mitigate safety risk, and determine next steps, we ask that you please stay away from campus until we provide an update.”  Gerado Regalado, his wife, and two daughters were home at the time the storm hit in Merrillville. The storm ripped off their roof, and left barely any walls standing as they took cover. Everything inside the house was damaged, but he’s counting his blessings that his family is safe.

“We can make it again or get another one, but my daughter’s life is more important than mine, you know? It’s hard,” Regalado said. Zachary Van Drunen’s church members helped pick up tree limbs and debris out of his yard in Merrillville. Van Drunen said the wind was a lot stronger than normal. “As soon as we walked through the door, the biggest tree in my yard fell exactly where I was standing. Two seconds later, and we’d be having a completely different conversation right now,” he said. He lives right next door to Harold Curtis. He, his wife, and daughter were also home when the storm came through. They were headed to the basement when Curtis said he felt a strong gust of wind. “As I shut the door behind me to go downstairs, it’s like you felt the wind blow right in, and like in 15 seconds it was over,” Curtis said.

In nearby Hebron, Indiana, residents woke up to a destroyed town on Friday morning. Hebron resident Beth Bowen told CBS News Chicago that when she got out of her house safely, she found her garage had collapsed.  She said it sounded like “train.”  “We felt the pressure, our ears were popping, we thought the doors were going to blow over in our laundry room, it was shaking so bad,” Bowen said. “We felt the house move.”  Professional storm chaser Gabe Cox followed Thursday’s tornadoes for hours as the storms hit multiple communities, including Hebron. He said he counted at least eight separate tornadoes on his own in Illinois and Indiana, and there were more that he couldn’t get to. “This was the most significant tornado outbreak I have ever covered personally,” he said. “To see eight significant tornadoes back to back over the course of four hours, I’ve never experienced that before in my 10 years as a professional, 20 years of storm chasing.” Cox said he’s still processing what he saw and experienced during the storms.

“Honestly, you know, with storm chasing, it’s a range of emotions. There’s the excitement of it, of course. You’re seeing something just phenomenal that most people don’t get to see. Then there’s the reality of what it does, and ending the chase in Hebron last night brought that reality full scale, and so my heart sank. I feel bad for those people. I’m so thankful that they are okay, and not a scratch on them. Obviously, there’s a lot of cleanup to be done, and these people are going to need a lot of help.” In Bartlett, Illinois, a BP gas station had 18 pumps ripped out of the ground from the force of the tornado that hit on Thursday, and debris from the gas station was blown into the parking lot of a nearby Wendy’s. Surveillance video captured the moment the gas pumps toppled to the ground. Garbage cans and debris also could be seen swirling around a parked car. Sources said the driver inside wanted to beat the storm, but stayed put when rain started falling.

Debris from the gas station could be found as far away as a strip mall across the street. The gas station owner said he hopes to have the pumps replaced and the gas station back in operation within the next two weeks. Employees at the nearby Wendy’s were cleaning up for the night when the storm blew through. “I was in the bathroom, and out of nowhere, you just hear a gust of wind, and then it grows stronger and stronger and stronger, and then out of nowhere, you just hear booms, and everything breaks. The store vibrating, and then you get out, you really see the tornado from the window coming this way, and you could hear the branch fall,” Jaden Cordero said. “We were in the tornado.” Thankfully, no one was injured.

Source: National Weather Service confirms multiple tornadoes with Streator, Merrillville among hardest hit areas – CBS Chicago

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luke 6:33

Feeling Alone? God Sees You

Even when you feel invisible in your struggle, God sees every tear, every burden, and every silent prayer. Your exhaustion has not escaped His attention. “The Lord is close to…

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Jesus Revolution

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher.…

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Letters to God

Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer. Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler’s prayers…

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War Room

Pharmaceutical salesman Tony Jordan and his wife, realtor Elizabeth Jordan, appear outwardly successful; they have a large house, plenty of money, and a beautiful daughter named Danielle. Behind the façade,…

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Climbing Your Mountain

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s…

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Ransomware attack shuts down Evanston Township High School campus

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The FBI is investigating a cybersecurity at Evanston Township High School that has closed down the whole campus Monday morning. A ransomware attack is hitting the district’s phone lines, internet services and computers, and impacting the school’s emergency notification and public address systems. “Because these systems are not fully operational, we made the determination to cancel summer school classes and other on-campus activities until we can restore access to a point where we can safely run school,” said district spokesperson Reine Hanna.

A popup on the Evanston Township High School website announced that summer school, sports camps, and on-campus activities are canceled due to the ransomware attack that happened on Sunday. Hanna told CBS News Chicago that they have not yet received a money demand for the attack, but it’s “part of the investigation and response process.” “Because this happened in the summer months, the impact is substantially less than it would’ve been during the regular school year,” she said. She said the disruption means staff may have limited access to their email and student accounts may not work.

Phone systems are also unavailable. She said the breach is causing a major disruption for students and teachers that do need to access the school building, who will not be able to for at least two days. Staff members that were scheduled to come in to work Monday have been told to stay home and work remotely. A school spokesperson said their IT team discovered the breach. An email sent to parents, students and staff Sunday night assured the community that the hack is being handled. Cybersecurity attorneys and forensic experts are on the case, and the FBI is investigating. The district’s superintendent said the school is still working to figure out what information the hackers may have accessed, and said, “recovery efforts are under way.”

Source: Ransomware attack shuts down Evanston Township High School campus – CBS Chicago

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12

Peace in the Storm

God does not always remove the storm immediately, but He promises peace in the middle of it. His presence calms fearful hearts.  Bible Verse: “Peace I leave with you;…

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Michigan City Zoo animal care workers attacked by wolves

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Two animal care workers were attacked by wolves at the Michigan City Zoo in Indiana. According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, a wolf at the zoo died Tuesday night of natural causes. After that death, two of the animal care workers at the zoo were attacked by other wolves in the zoo’s enclosure. Michigan City police said the two workers were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

One of them was not badly injured, police said, but the other, a 39-year-old woman, suffered multiple injures across her entire body. Parks officials said both workers are stable at hospitals, and a review of the incident by their department and zoo officials is ongoing. The zoo remains open to the public, but the main wolf exhibit is closed while staff continue to monitor the animals and assess the situation, officials said. 

Source: Michigan City Zoo animal care workers attacked by wolves – CBS Chicago

He who builds His layers in the sky, And has founded His strata in the earth; Who calls for the waters of the sea, And pours them out on the face of the earth— The LORD is His name.
Amos 9:6

Prayer for Boldness; Acts 4:24-31

When opposition rises against God’s people, the natural response is often fear. Yet the early church teaches us that the answer to intimidation is not retreat, but prayer to…

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Child safe after carjacking on Chicago’s South Side

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A car was found after it was stolen with a 1-year-old inside on Chicago’s South Side early Wednesday morning.  Chicago police said a 36-year-old man was standing next to the car in the 9100 block of South Urban Avenue just before 2:15 a.m. when a person got in the car and drove off with the child in the car.  Police said the car was found shortly after in the 6200 block of South Eberhart Avenue with the child inside.  The 1-year-old was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for observation.  No arrests have been made.  Area detectives are investigating. 

Source: Child safe after carjacking on Chicago’s South Side – CBS Chicago

And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
Acts 22:7

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Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan to Chicago diverted to Miami after passenger tries to open door mid-flight

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A Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago O’Hare International Airport Sunday was diverted to Miami when a passenger tried to open the door mid-flight. In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said Frontier Airlines Flight 3345 was in the air en route from San Juan to Chicago when there was a “passenger disturbance” reported by the crew. The FAA said the flight landed safely at Miami International Airport around 11:55 p.m. ET. In a statement, Frontier confirmed a passenger “became disruptive” before the fight was diverted. “Law enforcement boarded the aircraft in Miami and removed the passenger and the flight subsequently continued on to Chicago a few hours later,” the statement concluded.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said flight attendants and other passengers on the plane told them the man tried to open the exit doors while in flight, saying he wanted to get off the plane. Flight attendants tried to stop him and told him to sit down, but he ignored them and instead went to the front of the plane, where police said he tried to get into the pilot’s cabin. Flight attendants tried multiple times to get him back to his seat, police said, then took him to a different seat and an off-duty flight attendant volunteered to sit in his row on the aisle. When the off-duty attendant got up to use the bathroom, police said the man tried to grab his bag. When he was told not to touch the off-duty attendant’s belongings, police said they were told the man then attacked the off-duty flight attendant, trying to choke him, as other passengers restrained him. Eventually, police said flight attendants and passengers were able to restrain the man. The flight was diverted to Miami, where he was arrested. The FBI also interviewed the man after his arrest, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said.

Source: Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan to Chicago diverted to Miami after passenger tries to open door mid-flight – CBS Chicago

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
1 Peter 5:6

The Story of America: John Adams

The White House Salute to America 250 Task Force has partnered with Hillsdale College to provide a history series that tells the remarkable story of American Independence. It will highlight the stories of…

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George Washington on Freedom of Speech

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Why Waiting on God is Always Worth It

What feels late to us is often perfectly timed by God. Heaven’s clock never runs behind schedule. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… but is longsuffering to us-ward.” — 2 Peter…

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ICE Deports MS-13 Member With Cartel Ties

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deported a self-admitted MS-13 gang member with ties to Mexico’s Cartel del Noreste after he completed a prison sentence in Texas, Newsmax learned exclusively Thursday. According to…

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Park Forest police reunite lost horse with owner after animal found wandering Friday morning

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Park Forest police have reunited a lost horse with its owner after it was found wandering in the south suburb. Police posted to their Facebook page that the horse was fond wandering in the area of Western Avenue and Steger Road Friday morning around 7 a.m. Shortly before 1 p.m. police confirmed they had reunited the horse with its rightful owner.  “A warning was issued for horsing around an un-stable behavior,” they wrote on Facebook.

Source: Park Forest police reunite lost horse with owner after animal found wandering Friday morning – CBS Chicago

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
Acts 4:32

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Birders, conservationists excited about first bald eagles to hatch in Chicago in over 100 years

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Three baby bald eagles were recently born in Chicago, the first time the national bird of the United States has hatched in the city in more than a century. Conservation experts said it’s a sign that local ecosystem restoration efforts are working.  One Chicago birder captured some of the first images of two of those eaglets. In his free time, you can find Dustin Weidner listening, searching, and snapping pictures of birds around Chicago. A bald eagle caught Weidner’s eye while birding in Albany Park on Thursday.  

“You usually only see them along this river through the winter,” he said. In early April, whispers within the birder community led Weidner to a different eagle nesting at a park on the Southeast Side. “I’m sitting here watching a bald eagle nesting in the city of Chicago, and the craziest part is if this is successful, it will be the first time in something like 100 years,” he said at the time. He returned at the end of the month and recorded not one but two eaglets in the nest. “It’s a huge moment to have a bald eagle nest within city limits,” he said. While eagles are no longer an endangered species, and somewhat of a common sighting for birders, the Chicago Ornithological Society said the eaglets are a sign of how far conservation efforts have come.

Source: Birders, conservationists excited about first bald eagles to hatch in Chicago in over 100 years – CBS Chicago

You, O LORD, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.
Lamentations 5:19

States That Allow Bible in the Classroom

Texas public schools will now require students to read Bible passages and stories as part of the latest conservative push to expand the role of religion in public education—a move bound to escalate wrangling over the…

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Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S.

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A system that thousands of schools and universities use was offline Thursday due to a cyberattack, creating chaos as students tried to study for finals and underscoring education’s dependence on technology. The hacking group named ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach at Instructure, the company behind the learning management system Canvas, said Luke Connolly, a threat analyst at the cybersecurity firm Emisoft. CBS News has reached out to Instructure for comment. Late Thursday night, Instructure posted to a status log that Canvas was “now available for most users.”

Some of the universities that have reported being targeted include Penn State, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia University and Union College New Jersey. UCLA was among several California schools that reported being crippled by the outage. Also impacted in the Chicago area were Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Illinois. In a message to students, Penn State said that “no one has access” to Canvas, and a “resolution” was not expected “within the next 24 hours.” The school said all tests scheduled for Thursday and Friday in its Pollock Testing Center were canceled. The student newspaper at Harvard reported that the system was down there, too. And public school districts also sought to reassure parents, with officials in Spokane, Washington, writing that they aren’t “aware of any sensitive data contained in this breach.” Canvas is used to manage grades, course notes, assignments, lecture videos and more. The hacking group posted online that nearly 9,000 schools worldwide were affected, with billions of private messages and other records accessed, Connolly said.

Source: Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S. – CBS News

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
Ecclesiastes 7:10

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5 injured in apartment building fire, reported explosion in Des Plaines

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burning flame of a building on fire

Five people were injured in an apartment fire and reported explosion in Des Plaines, Illinois, overnight.   Firefighters responded to a fire at a three-story building at 1279 Harding Ave just before 1 a.m. and found heavy flames and smoke.  Video from the scene shows firefighters on ladders working to control the flames as emergency responders on the ground treated residents. Fire officials confirmed that multiple people were rescued from balconies.  Five people were taken to local hospitals with injuries of varying severity, the Des Plaines Fire Department said.  One neighbor told CBS News Chicago she heard a “very big explosion” followed by people yelling, “Help me.”  The cause of the fire and the reported explosion are under investigation.

Source: 5 injured in apartment building fire, reported explosion in Des Plaines – CBS Chicago

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

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Experts raise concerns about CTA after Yellow Line derailment in Rogers Park

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an aerial shot of a traveling train

Almost 24 hours after a derailment made a mess of the Red, Purple, and Yellow lines in Chicago, the CTA continued to investigate the cause of the incident, and experts were raising concerns about what they called a troubling pattern. During the evening rush on Thursday, a Yellow Line train derailed in the rail yard near the Howard terminal in the Rogers Park neighborhood, prompting the CTA and firefighters to evacuate approximately 80 passengers from the train. No injuries were reported. “Howard is a very complicated, intricate yard, with lots of traffic. So, it’s a hot spot for possible derailments,” said DePaul University professor and transportation expert Joe Schwieterman.

The derailment interrupted service on the Red, Purple, and Yellow lines for several hours.  Video from CBS Skywatch showed the front wheels on one car of a two-car Yellow Line train appeared to end up on a different set of tracks than the rest of the train. “You look at this picture, you wonder if something happened with a switch, whether it was an open switch, or whether something about the speed or the wheel quality or something interacted with the rail,” Schwieterman said. It was at least the fifth derailment by a CTA train since February of 2025. Experts said this pattern is concerning and needs to be addressed. 

Source: Experts raise concerns about CTA after Yellow Line derailment in Rogers Park – CBS Chicago

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.
Luke 9:16-17

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United flight from Germany to Chicago diverted to Boston due to unruly passenger, airline says

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An unruly passenger caused a United Airlines flight from Germany to Chicago to be diverted to a Boston airport on Monday morning. United Airlines flight 945 was diverted to Logan Airport, where it landed around 8:30 a.m. Chicago time due to the unruly passenger. According to the Massachusetts State Police, the passenger was restrained on the flight, but was cooperative by the time troopers boarded the plane. EMS also responded to evaluate the passenger, who declined medical attention.

The flight, a Boeing 787, was heading to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport from Frankfurt International Airport. It had 231 passengers and 12 crew members on board.  United said in a statement after the passenger was removed, “the flight then continued to Chicago.” The individual was placed into custody by U.S. Customs officials and was later taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Source: United flight from Germany to Chicago diverted to Boston due to unruly passenger, airline says – CBS Boston

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

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