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Congresswoman Jackie Walorski’s vehicle crossed centerline before crash that killed 4: police

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Congresswoman Jackie Walorski’s vehicle crossed centerline before crash that killed 4: police

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) — The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Workplace stated Thursday that U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was within the car that crossed the centerline previous to an Indiana crash that left 4 useless, together with the consultant, Wednesday afternoon.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Workplace stated their officers responded to a two-car crash at SR 19 south of SR 119 simply after 12:30 p.m.

Regulation enforcement initially stated a automobile driving northbound drifted left of the middle line and struck an SUV touring southbound head on.

However they stated after discovering eyewitness and video proof, they discovered the Buick LeSabre was touring south and the Toyota RAV4 north earlier than crossing the centerline for unknown causes.

Walorski was within the SUV together with St. Joseph County Republican Chair Zachery Potts, 27, and employees member Emma Thomson, 28. All three had been killed. The driving force of the automobile, 56-year-old Edith Schmucker, was additionally killed, the sheriff’s workplace stated.

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All occupants of each autos had been confirmed to have been carrying seatbelts, and airbags did deploy, police stated.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Republican Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy shared a press release from Walorski’s workplace that reads, “Dean Swihart, Jackie’s husband, was simply knowledgeable by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Workplace that Jackie was killed in a automobile accident this afternoon. She has returned dwelling to be along with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please maintain her household in your ideas and prayers. We can have no additional remark right now.”

Democratic Congressman Danny Davis served on the Home Methods and Means Committee with Walorski.

“I used to be virtually in a state of shock. I could not imagine it,” he stated. “We would disagree every now and then, however I do not suppose we ever had an argument. She was an exquisite individual to work with.”

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Indiana Senator Mike Braun additionally spoke fondly about his fellow lawmaker.

“Spent plenty of time with Jackie, received to her know her after I caught my neck into the political realm, and all the time a superb good friend and he or she was a tireless congresswoman,” he stated.

Walorski has represented Indiana’s 2nd district since 2012. Her district consists of LaPorte County.

President Joe Biden launched a press release on her dying, saying partly, “We ship our deepest condolences to her husband, Dean, to the households of her employees members, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, who misplaced their lives in public service, and to the folks of Indiana’s Second District who misplaced a consultant who was considered one of their very own.”

Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags on the Capitol to be flown at half-staff in response to the dying of the congresswoman, Pelosi deputy chief of employees Drew Hammill introduced Wednesday afternoon.

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In a press release, Pelosi stated the congresswoman “lived a lifetime of service” and “was admired by colleagues on each side of the aisle for her private kindness.”

Illinois GOP Rep. Darren LaHood launched a press release saying, “Through the years, Jackie and I, and our staffs, labored intently collectively on essential Methods and Means points to assist our Midwest communities. Jackie and her employees had been a pleasure to work with and there was no extra devoted Member of Congress.”

Illinois Democrat Rep. Brad Schneider launched a press release saying, “I’m heartbroken on the passing of Rep. Walorski, Zachary Potts, and Emma Thomson. My coronary heart goes out to all of their households, buddies, and colleagues. Jackie was a superb good friend and esteemed colleague who I had the nice fortune to work with. Might the reminiscences of all be a blessing.”

Home Minority Whip Steve Scalise stated in a press release that Walorski “was a champion for the folks of Indiana, and he or she shall be remembered for her kindness, tenacity, and dedication to serving to others.”

The congresswoman served as the highest Republican on the Home Ethics Committee, a spot that put her in line to develop into chair of the panel if the GOP retakes the Home majority within the upcoming midterm elections. She additionally served because the rating GOP member for a subcommittee of the highly effective Home Methods and Means committee.

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GOP Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming tweeted in response to the information, “There was no extra devoted or efficient member of Congress than Jackie,” including, “I used to be proud to be her good friend.”

The sheriff’s workplace requested that anybody with info on the crash, or who witnessed it, attain out.

The CNN Wire contributed to this report

Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

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2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.

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CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

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The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

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3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

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“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

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Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

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Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

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Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

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However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.

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