WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own

Marc Malnati describes what sets Chicago-style pizza apart: 'It's more of a meal'

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 04:37 PM PDT

Owner of Lou Malnati's Pizza, Marc Malnati, joined Steve Dale to discuss what makes Chicago pizza truly Chicago pizza. With the 4th of July around the corner, they highlighted tips for grilling pizza and addressed the growing popularity of "white pizza" and Connecticut-style pizza.

Dog cruises on the Chicago River?!

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 04:52 PM PDT

Chairman of the Board of Chicago's First Lady Cruises, Holly Agra, joined Steve Dale to talk about tourist season in Chicago. They spoke about the K-9 Cruises aboard Mercury Skyline's Cruise Line, deals on the Chicago River, and the Architect Museum tours.

Illinois among states reporting the most monkeypox cases: CDC data

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 03:15 PM PDT

(NEXSTAR) - Massachusetts reported the U.S.'s first case of the monkeypox virus in May in a man who had recently traveled to Canada. Now, roughly a month and a half later, the 2022 outbreak has spread to 30 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A total of 460 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Of those states reporting monkeypox cases, the CDC's data shows 10 have reported 11 or more cases since May. California has the highest case count at 95 with New York close behind at 90. Illinois and Florida have each reported just over 50 cases.

Twenty states have yet to report a case of monkeypox, including five across the Northern Plains and five in the South. The interactive map below shows the state-by-state case count with the most recent data from the CDC.

Monkeypox, clinically known as orthopox, has sickened people for decades in central and west Africa, but until May, the disease had not been known to cause significant outbreaks in multiple countries at the same time and involving people with no travel links to the continent.

It was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys being kept for research. It was found in humans 12 years later in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a child in a rural rainforest region where smallpox had since been eradicated, the World Health Organization explains.

People with monkeypox often experience symptoms like fever, body aches and a rash; most recover within weeks without needing medical care.

More than 5,000 monkeypox cases have been reported from 51 countries worldwide that don't normally report the disease, according to the CDC.

Scientists warn anyone who is in close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox or their clothing or bedsheets is at risk of infection. Vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women are thought more likely to suffer severe disease.

Some experts and advocates are warning the Biden administration is responding too slowly to the monkeypox outbreak, leaving the U.S. at risk of losing control of the disease. David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, said three areas in particular have been slow: "streamlining testing, making vaccines available, streamlining access to the best therapeutics."

Last week, the White House said it plans to send out thousands of vaccine doses to combat the monkeypox outbreak it faces.

The Associated Press and Nathaniel Weixel contributed to this report.

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31 bodies, some decomposed, found in Indiana funeral home

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 04:04 PM PDT

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WXIN) — Police have launched an investigation into an Indiana funeral home after more than 30 bodies, some of which were decomposing, were discovered inside.

According to a report by the Louisville Courier-Journal, police in Jeffersonville were called late at night Friday to the Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center. The newspaper reported the department worked into Saturday morning and ultimately located 31 bodies.

Maj. Isaac Parker said some of the bodies were "in the advanced stages of decomposition." Some had been at the funeral home since March.

Additionally, officers said they found the post-cremation remains of 16 others.

Parker says the owner of the funeral home has been speaking with police.

The recovered bodies, the Courier-Journal reported, were taken by the Clark County Coroner's Office which is working to identify the remains.

Anyone who had recently worked with the Lankford Funeral Home is being asked to reach out to the coroner's office at (812) 285-6282. So far, no arrests have been reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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What history tells about bear markets

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 01:47 PM PDT

WGN Radio's Ilyce Glink and Tom Fortino from Alpha Wealth Group give you the latest financial business news and financial planning advice and more!

People are very nervous about the stock market and its impact on their retirement picture. With this in mind, Ilyce and Tom talk about what history tells us about what happens in a bear market. Later, they talk about some surprises that could deplete your Social Security benefits.

If you'd like to get involved with the show, call 630-934-1855. A member of Tom Fortino's group will get back to you.

Akron officials release video of police killing of Jayland Walker

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 01:40 PM PDT

**Warning: The police body cam footage seen above is disturbing.**

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — Akron city officials on Sunday released more details in the police shooting of Jayland Walker, a Black man they say was unarmed when officers shot and killed him after a chase.

Walker, 25, was shot by police just after midnight on Monday. During a press conference Sunday, the police department released two videos.

Police said Walker fired a shot from his vehicle during a pursuit. The first video in the press conference showed a possible muzzle flash of light at the same time as officers reportedly heard a shot coming from the vehicle.

Walker, who was reportedly wearing a ski mask at the time, then got out of his car from the passenger's side while it was still running and fled from the officers.

Chief Steve Mylett admitted that in watching the police body cam shooting video, it is hard to determine what led officers to fire their weapons. He said in still photos of the footage, it appears Walker was reaching down to his waist.

"Each officer independent of each other related that they felt that Mr. Walker had turned and was motioning and moving into a firing position," Chief Mylett said.

The medical examiner had originally said he had "multiple gunshot wounds," but Mylett said the medical examiner has confirmed more than 60 wounds on Walker's body. More investigation will be needed to determine exactly how many rounds the eight officers fired and how many times Walker was hit. Officers provided aid, and one can be heard saying he still had a pulse, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, Mylett said.

A gun and bullet casing were later found in the vehicle, police said.

Akron police department photo

"I know this is a somber occasion for the city," Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan told reporters, emphasizing that everyone in the community be patient as the investigation continues and urged for peace in the city.

The shooting is being investigated independently by agents with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

In a statement, the Fraternal Order of Police in Akron described the shooting as being "consistent with the use of force protocols and officers' training."

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released a statement Sunday following the press conference:

"People want and deserve answers, and they shall have them. BCI will conduct a complete, fair and expert investigation," Yost said. "Body-worn camera footage is just one view of the whole picture – before drawing conclusions, the full review must take place."

Walker's family, who did not speak to the media Sunday, has continued to ask for calm and peace as more is learned about the incident.

"We want peace. This family has had enough violence. We want dignity, we want to celebrate the life of this young man in a way that brings dignity to him and to the city and we want justice, which means a fair process, reviewing all the facts and let that process play out. We do not want violence of any kind," the family's Attorney Bobby DiCello said earlier this week.

DiCello continued those sentiments Sunday, speaking to media following the press conference as well. He said the shooting did not seem to be warranted.

**See more body cam footage below. Warning: Graphic.**

Walker was grieving the recent death of his fiancee, but his family had no indication of concern beyond that, DiCello said.

"He was sad, but he was getting through it," DiCello said. He said he doesn't know whether the ring found near the gun belonged to Walker.

Protests were planned throughout the weekend.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Kinzinger says more witnesses have come forward after Hutchinson testimony

Posted: 03 Jul 2022 02:13 PM PDT

(The Hill) – Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a member of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, said on Sunday that the committee is continuing to receive more testimony as its series of public hearings continue.

Kinzinger told CNN "State of the Union" co-anchor Dana Bash that new witnesses have come forward since Cassidy Hutchinson, a Trump official who served as an aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, testified to the committee publicly last week.

"This happens every day," Kinzinger said. "Every day we get new people that come forward and say, 'hey, I didn't think maybe this piece of the story that I knew was important, but now that you guys are — I do see this plays in here.'"

The committee had planned to pause its public hearings until later in July but suddenly scheduled last week's hearing with Hutchinson one day prior.

Hutchinson testified that Trump knew the crowd gathered for his rally on Jan. 6 was armed, but she said he wanted the Secret Service to remove metal detectors on the edge of the Ellipse so more people would enter the security perimeter and fill empty space.

She also testified that Trump following the rally lunged for the steering wheel in his Secret Service vehicle in an attempt to join his supporters at the Capitol. 

Members of the Secret Service who were in the car are reportedly prepared to testify that they were not assaulted by Trump and that the former president did not try to grab the steering wheel.

That response has led many Republicans to cast doubt on Hutchinson's credibility. Kinzinger on Sunday declined to say what corroborating evidence the committee has to back up her claims.

"Cassidy Hutchinson has testified under oath," Kinzinger said. "We find her credible, and anybody that wants to cast disparagement on that that was firsthand present should come and also testify under oath and not through anonymous sources."

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