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DNA breakthrough closes 30-year-old cold case in brutal 1993 rape and murder

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DNA breakthrough closes 30-year-old cold case in brutal 1993 rape and murder

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A man who raped, stabbed and murdered a 19-year-old Indianapolis woman more than 30 years ago was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday, closing a decades-old cold case.

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Dana Shepherd, 53, was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday, after signing a plea deal last month admitting to the killing of Carmen Van Huss, local outlets reported, ending a decades-old cold case.

“While no passage of time can ever heal the unimaginable loss Carmen’s family has endured, we are grateful to secure a murder conviction more than 30 years after this heinous crime,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement. “Our hope is that this resolution brings a measure of justice and peace to her loved ones, after three decades of waiting for answers.”

Van Huss was murdered in 1993 at the age of 19 after she was raped and stabbed 61 times by a man who broke into her apartment, FOX 59 reported.

‘TIMES SQUARE KILLER’ USED FAKE POLICE BADGE TO MURDER 18-YEAR-OLD NURSING STUDENT: DEATHBED CONFESSION

Dana Shepherd was sentenced to 45 years in prison in connection with the 1993 rape and murder of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss, closing a decades-old cold case. (FOX 59)

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According to the outlet, Van Huss’ body was found by her father, and police said she was lying in a large pool of blood. There were signs of a struggle, police said, including a knocked over table and scattered objects.

More than 30 years after the killing, Missouri police arrested Shepherd and extradited him to Indianapolis to face charges of murder and rape with deadly force, the outlet said.

Shepherd — who was 20 years old at the time of the murder — wasn’t connected to the investigation until DNA testing tied him to the case.

FBI SOLVES ‘COLONIAL PARKWAY’ MURDERS THANKS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY, BUREAU SAYS

Carmen Van Huss, 19, was raped and stabbed to death in her Indianapolis apartment in 1993. (FOX 59)

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Shepherd was arrested in August 2024 in Columbia, Missouri, and after being extradited to Indianapolis, was scheduled to go to trial next week until a plea agreement was filed Tuesday, where Shepherd admitted to the murder charge. The additional charges were dismissed.

FOX 59 reported that Shepherd had a criminal history in Indiana before committing the murder, including charges for battery and public intoxication. After 1993, he was also charged in Missouri with stealing, disturbing the peace and driving without a license.

The Van Huss family released a statement reacting to the sentencing.

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Dana Shepherd was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the 1993 rape and murder of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss.

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“While this plea deal was not our first choice, we are grateful that after 33 years the man responsible for Carmen’s brutal rape and murder is finally being held accountable,” the family stated.

“For decades, the perpetrator was able to live a normal life after taking that right away from Carmen and from our family. Nothing can undo that loss or erase the injustice of him living freely for so long, but we are thankful that the truth has finally come to light and that he has not escaped justice.”

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Illinois

Weather service assessing damage across Iowa, Illinois and Missouri

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Weather service assessing damage across Iowa, Illinois and Missouri


The National Weather Service has teams of storm surveryors in the field April 18 investigating several reports of severe storms and tornado touch downs across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and northeast Missouri.

According to the weather service’s website, windgusts of up to 60 to 70 mph along with teacup-sized hail and several tornadoes were reported April 17.

Many homes and outbuildings were damaged, trees were uprooted and power lines were downed in Lena, Illinois, where the most significant damage occurred, the site pointed out.

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Very strong winds also were reported near Washington, Iowa, and Colmar, Illinois, where several outbuildings and grain bins were destroyed.

The weather service received reports of confirmed and possible tornadoes in the areas of Lena, Pecatonica, Shirland, Rockton, Roscoe and Capron.

The teams will be assessing damage this weekend into next week along with county emergency management teams to determine what types of storms occurred and their paths.

Dozens of power outages were reported, as well.

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As of the afternoon of April 18, ComEd was reporting 85 active power outages across northern Illinois, down from 241 on April 17, and 6,751 customers affected, down from more than 18,000.

The bulk of those outages and the most customers impacted are concentrated in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.



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Indiana

Projecting the Indiana Fever’s 2026 Starting Lineup

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Projecting the Indiana Fever’s 2026 Starting Lineup


The start of training camp officially marks the beginning of the 2026 WNBA season. The Indiana Fever were fairly quiet during free agency after successfully retaining most of their top-tier talent such as Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, and Sophie Cunningham. Though they still managed to add a few solid pieces to further stack their depth.

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Last season the Fever made an impressive postseason run despite facing multiple injuries, particularly in the backcourt. The front office clearly prioritized guard depth as a result, as well as looking to upgrade at the power forward position.

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The Fever brass aimed to shore up any defensive deficiencies on the perimeter in the draft by adding guard Raven Johnson out of South Carolina, who brings a reputation as a defensive stopper. As for bolstering the frontcourt, to play alongside, and even provide some relief for Aliyah Boston, newly acquired 6-foot-4 Monique Billings and veteran forward Myisha Hines-Allen fit the bill. Indiana also picked up another solid player in Tyasha Harris at the guard position to provide backcourt depth and relieve pressure on Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark.

As for the starting lineup, here’s who the Indiana Fever are projected to run with:

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Caitlin Clark, Guard

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball in the first half against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

This comes as no surprise, but Clark will look to lead the way for the Fever in one of the two starting guard roles. Coming off of a season riddled with injuries, her return is highly anticipated. In true Clark fashion, she showed positive signs of production during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers where she led Team USA in assists and points.

Clark is expected to return to form in 2026. She provides speed in transition, is a deep threat from beyond the arc, and is elite at setting up her teammates. The only thing standing in the way of a productive season for Clark is remaining healthy for the duration of the season.

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Kelsey Mitchell, Guard

Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) dribbles against the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter of game five of the second round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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Re-signing Kelsey Mitchell was yet again the main offseason priority for the Fever and they did just that. Coming off of a career year, Mitchell will be a key component in the Fever reaching a championship. She averaged 20.2 points per game last season and carried the team on her back during Clark’s absence.

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As a premier scoring guard, she complements Clark’s game well and when the two are on the floor together, they’re easily the most explosive backcourt in the entire WNBA. Mitchell has exceptional speed and is a gifted isolation scorer. Her ability to quickly cut and drive to the rim makes her a nightmare for opposing teams to defend and contributed to her earning a 2025 All-WNBA First Team selection.

Mitchell is one of the most dangerous clutch situation players in the league making her a stellar weapon for the Fever.

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Lexie Hull, Forward

Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) reacts after her three point basket against the Connecticut Sun in overtime at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Entering her fifth WNBA season, all with the Fever, no other player on the roster has grown as much as Lexie Hull. Her steady development has made her a key piece and earned her a starting role in the rotation as last season progressed. Listed as a guard, her defense and versatility has allowed her to frequently fill the role of small forward. She impacts the game on both ends of the floor and saw career highs in 2025 in points per game (7.2), rebounds per game (4.3), assists per game (1.8) and steals per game (1.2).

Her impactful instincts even contributed to her being near the top of the WNBA in offensive fouls drawn last season. With her high-percentage shooting from beyond the arc, solid perimeter defense, and elite hustle, Hull fills the wing role nicely for the Fever.

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Monique Billings, Forward

Sep 17, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries forward Monique Billings (25) boxes out Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) in the fourth quarter in game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images
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Heading into the 2026 season, the Fever desperately needed to add talented size up front to complement Aliyah Boston’s skill set. With the departure of veteran Natasha Howard in free agency, the Fever acquired their likely next starting power forward in Monique Billings.

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Billings is a strong finisher around the basket, has soft hands, runs the floor well, and is adept at screening for guards. She can also defend multiple positions and is a more than capable rebounder. Billings checks all of the boxes of a needed component for Indiana.

Aliyah Boston, Center

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) defends Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) during Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Fever defeated the Aces 90-83. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After making WNBA history with a record contract, Aliyah Boston looks to continue to elevate her game. Boston has quickly ascended as one of the league’s biggest threats in the middle of the floor. What makes this season even more promising for Boston is the dominant performances she put on display during Unrivaled.

She’s in peak physical shape, faster and has worked on her three-point shooting – an area she committed herself to improving on in the offseason. The three-time All-Star has already established herself as a force on the block due to her combination of size and footwork. Her step-through moves have increased her efficiency in scoring under the basket.

Boston seems poised to have the best season of her career in 2026.

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Iowa

5 people wounded in shooting near University of Iowa campus, including 3 students

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5 people wounded in shooting near University of Iowa campus, including 3 students


Five people were shot and injured at an Iowa City pedestrian mall near the University of Iowa campus overnight, police said Sunday. Students from the university were among the injured, according to school officials. 

The Iowa City Police Department responded to a report of a large fight in the 100 Block of East College Street at 1:46 a.m. early Sunday, the department said in a news release. Arriving officers heard gunfire. 

Multiple victims were hospitalized, police said. Police confirmed to CBS News that one person was in critical condition, while the other four victims are stable. 

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University of Iowa President Barb Wilson said in a statement that three students were among those shot. None of the victims has been publicly identified. 

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police said they are seeking information about five “persons of interest associated with this shooting.” The university also shared the request for information. 

The pedestrian mall was closed for several hours and reopened Sunday afternoon. 

The “persons of interest” being sought by Iowa City Police.

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Iowa City Police Department / University of Iowa




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