Threats That Prompted Downers Grove Library to Cancel Drag Bingo Are Part of National Trend, Experts Say

Threats That Prompted Downers Grove Library to Cancel Drag Bingo Are Part of National Trend, Experts Say

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Here are today's top stories It's Tuesday, Sep. 20th. 1 Threats That Prompted Downers Grove Library to Cancel Drag Bingo Are Part of National Trend, Experts Say A series of threats prompted the Downers Grove Public Library to cancel a drag queen bingo event scheduled for October. Those threats obtained by NBC 5 Investigates show that one caller promised a "rude awakening" should the event be held, while a social media post told those opposed to "bring weapons." "I am letting you know that's not going to fly. Not in my town, not in my county, not in my country, you understand me?" one caller threatened in a profanity-laden voicemail that the library turned over to police. "That ****'s over and done with. And if you guys even think about it, think about having this **** happen off in my community, in my town that I live in and pay tax dollars for? Oh you guys are gonna be in for a rude awakening." On social media, one Facebook user commented asking if library board members were "crazy." Another posted that there would be a protest outside. A third user responded: "Bring weapons." Read More → 2 8 Injured in Explosion, Building Collapse in Chicago's Austin Neighborhood At least eight people were hospitalized following an explosion and building collapse in Chicago's Austin neighborhood Tuesday morning that led to a massive emergency response, street closures and numerous evacuations as officials searched for anyone possibly trapped in the debris. Fire officials said at least three people were believed to be in critical condition, while five others were in stable condition. All of the victims were taken to various hospitals across the city with injuries ranging from burns to traumatic injuries, according to fire authorities. The collapse happened just after 9 a.m. Tuesday at West Washington Boulevard and North Central Avenue, fire officials tweeted. Read More → 3 Watches, Warnings End as Severe Weather Exits Chicago Area A system with a history of producing severe thunderstorms crawled its way across the Chicago area on Tuesday afternoon, packing gusty winds and causing a series of watches and warnings bfore exiting the region. Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across northern Illinois in a path that stretched from DeKalb County to Cook County, and ventured as far south as DuPage and Will counties. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued prior to the arrival of the system, and it was canceled before its 8 p.m. expiration as the system weakened and moved out over Lake Michigan. Read More → 4 Do Omicron COVID Vaccine Booster Shots Protect Against Infection? Top Doc Explains How well will the new bivalent COVID booster shots protect against infection from the newest variants and mutations, including the now-dominant omicron subvariant BA.5? While health officials have said vaccines continue to show effective protection, particularly when it comes to severe outcomes of the virus, experts hope the newest shots could go even further. "One of the reasons we're really excited about this updated COVID vaccine is because, different than for the last year or so, we're back to having a match," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Tuesday. "So this updated vaccine – kind of like at the beginning those first vaccines were highly protective, we weren't seeing a lot of breakthrough… now again, while it is a good match, I would expect there to be significantly more protection against infection as well." Read More → 5 Video Shows Two Chicago Cops Open Fire From Unmarked Car in Shooting That Resulted in Criminal Charges Against Both Officers Chicago Police Supt. David Brown initially told reporters that a gunman "shot first." But on Monday, he agreed with the state's attorney's office that video evidence disproved the early claim that "there was an initial exchange of gunfire." Read More → 6 Watch: Hawk Takes a Live Look at the Roads on I-88 During NBC 5 Morning Show Traffic was light out in Interstate 88 in Aurora Tuesday morning — even lighter as the crow flies. Or, as rather, as the hawk flies. While taking a live look at the roads on NBC 5 Tuesday morning, a brown, grey and white hawk with a black and yellow beak rested pleasantly on the I-Pass Camera at Interstate 88 at Orchard in Aurora. Read More → Got a tip or story idea? tips@nbcchicago.com Follow NBC Chicago Unsubscribe from this Mailing | Unsubscribe from all | Privacy | Terms ©2021 Copyright NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations 30 Rockefeller Plaza - New York, NY 10112