Midwest
Federal judge deems former Chicago alderman accused of bribery unfit for trial
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A federal judge ruled that a 76-year-old former Chicago alderman accused of bribery and lying to the FBI is unfit for trial, saying it would have an “adverse effect” on her health.
Carrie Austin was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2021 “for allegedly conspiring to receive home improvements from construction contractors seeking city assistance for a development project” in her Far South Side ward, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois said at the time.
Austin, who spent nearly 30 years on the Chicago City Council before resigning in 2023, pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to Fox32 Chicago. Her attorneys argued that the trial, scheduled for November 2025, should be postponed indefinitely as Austin was dealing with serious health problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart ailments and cancer, the station added.
“Merely the act of showering or walking from room to room in her house is strenuous for the Defendant, so there is no doubt that traveling to and from the courthouse, sitting in trial all day, and traveling to meet with her attorneys at night, even with the aid of a scooter, will have an ‘adverse effect’ on her health compared to resting at home as she currently does most of the time,” Judge John Kness was quoted as saying in his ruling, after consulting with doctors.
CHICAGO MAYOR VOWS CITY POLICE ‘WILL NOT EVER COOPERATE WITH ICE’
Former Chicago Alderman Carrie Austin was ruled unfit for trial by a judge, Fox32 Chicago reported. (Fox32 Chicago)
Federal prosecutors said Austin was charged with one count of conspiring to use interstate facilities to promote bribery, two counts of using interstate facilities to promote bribery, and one count of willfully making materially false statements to the FBI.
“According to the indictment, starting in 2014 a construction company planned to construct a residential development in Austin’s ward at a cost of approximately $49.6 million,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
It added that beginning in 2016, Austin and her chief of staff, Chester Wilson, “were provided with personal benefits by the owner of the construction company and other contractors in an effort to influence them in their official capacities.”
OUSTED DEM ‘SUPER MAYOR’ CHARGES WHOPPING PRICE TAG FOR TELL-ALL BOOK WHILE DODGING LEGAL TROUBLES
Chicago Chief Financial Officer Lois Scott, from left, Alexandra Holt, Budget Director, and Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th, Budget Committee Chairman, listen to a question during an Oct. 28, 2013 meeting of the city council budget committee in Chicago, Ill. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“According to the charges, in June 2017 a contractor on the development project paid an invoice for $5,250 to cover a portion of the purchase price of kitchen cabinets at Austin’s residence by falsely representing that the cabinets were for an address within the development,” prosecutors said. “In addition, in July 2017 Austin accepted from a contractor on the project an offer to pay for two ‘brand new’ and ‘expensive’ sump pumps, and to have the contractor’s family member buy and install a new dehumidifier, the indictment states.”
In 2021, Austin collapsed during a City Council meeting because of her lung conditions and was rushed to a hospital, Fox32 Chicago reported, citing court documents.
The station said years later, federal prosecutors tried to refute her claims of being medically unfit, arguing a surveillance video showed Austin walking in and out of a salon without help.
Austin served on the Chicago City Council for nearly 30 years. (Getty)
However, Judge Kness ultimately ruled her unfit for trial, noting that Austin’s current state would make it hard for her to meet with her legal team and participate in her own defense.
Read the full article from Here
![Sky FOX 9 captures July 4 fireworks over Minneapolis [RAW]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – This year, the Fourth of July is on a Saturday as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.
It’s a time where we celebrate our freedom, get outside in the summer and check out some fireworks. If you want to go see a fireworks display this year, but aren’t sure where to go, here’s a list of some popular displays.
Fourth of July Fireworks displays
Minneapolis – Red, White & Boom
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is thrilled to bring back Red, White & BOOM! returns to the Mississippi Riverfront – bringing a full day of free programming, community celebration, and one of the most anticipated fireworks shows in the state.
With more than 50,000 attendees, this all-day event stretches from morning movement to late-night music, ending with fireworks over the river at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, July 4, fireworks will be on display between 8-10 p.m. at Water Works Park and along West River Parkway.
My St. Paul Fourth of July
Celebrate the holiday at the Fourth of July Parade in the St. Anthony Park Neighborhood. Kick things off with an early morning distance race. Enjoy the colorful parade at 11 a.m., then stake out a patch of grass starting to enjoy the program and live music at the Langford Park bandstand.
Edina Fourth of July
Sponsored by Explore Edina, Independence Day fireworks will be held near dusk July 4 at Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th St. The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band will perform at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks will follow.
Bemidji Fourth of July
The Annual Water Carnival is organized by the Bemidji Jaycees. A celebrated feature of this event is the Red, White & BOOM Firework Spectacular, which will illuminate the skies over Lake Bemidji on July 4 at dusk. For optimal viewing, head to the southern end of Lake Bemidji.
Excelsior Fourth of July
Celebrate Independence Day and enjoy the only public fireworks display over Lake Minnetonka. Explore downtown Excelsior, support local businesses, and find a spot in Commons Park or near the water to see the fireworks at dusk on July 4.
Lakeville Fourth of July
Enjoy this year’s fireworks display at dusk on July 4, which helps kick off the PAN-O-PROG (“Panorama of Progress”) festival.
Mankato Fourth of July
On July 4, view the Red, Hot & Boom fireworks display from the Minnesota State University Mankato Athletic Fields (191 Stadium Road). Fireworks will begin around 10 p.m. Choreographed music can be heard on FM stations 93.1 (KATO), 94.1 (KXLP) and 96.7 (KDOG).
Pequot Lakes Fourth of July
The Stars and Stripes Days fireworks display will be held July 3 at dusk at Pequot Lakes High School practice field. Great viewing locations include Trailside Parks, Pequot Lakes School, and the TDS parking lot.
Shakopee – Canterbury Park
Canterbury Park hosts a family-friendly celebration on July 3, featuring live racing, music, face painting, pony rides, and more. Following the races, a spectacular fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m., viewable from the outdoor seating area.
Lake Waconia Fourth of July
The Lake Waconia Fireworks Festival, a cherished July 4 tradition, begins. Ideal viewing spots include Lake Waconia Regional Park, Lola’s Lakehouse, InTowne Marina, Sovereign Estate Winery, Vandy’s Grille, or on a boat out on the lake.
The Indianapolis Colts wrap up their offseason program this week, conducting three days of mandatory minicamp before breaking for the summer.
While OTA sessions do not involve any tackling, we can still glean which players have performed well or have the upper hand in certain position battles once we get to training camp.
Here are three players who have benefited the most from Colts’ OTAs over the last couple of weeks.
QB Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones may only be six months removed from tearing his right Achilles, but that has not stopped the quarterback from getting back on the field.
Jones returned to 7-on-7 action last week with the Colts’ starting offense. In the one session open to the media, Jones went 5-of-6 passing with two touchdowns. It was an impressive showing in his first team period since the injury.
Head coach Shane Steichen spoke last week about Jones’ progress, indicating he is very pleased with where his QB1 currently stands in his rehab.
“I think it’s just making those strides each and every week and to get him out there in 7-on-7 was huge, and to get him in the fold, running plays with the guys,” Steichen said about Jones. “So, we’ll keep that trend going probably through the end of OTAs, and then obviously get them into team stuff when we get to training camp.”
While Jones will not participate in any 11-on-11 sessions until training camp, returning to team drills this early in his rehab is a massive win. The Colts are just over three months away from Week 1, and it seems very likely that Jones will be the starting quarterback against the Baltimore Ravens.
WR Ashton Dulin
Alec Pierce and Josh Downs are locked in as the Colts’ top two wide receivers for this season. However, the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers leaves an opening at WR3. So far, it’s been Ashton Dulin’s spot to lose.
Dulin has seen the majority of the snaps at that other outside receiver spot throughout OTAs. He’s also made plays when given the opportunity, catching both of Jones’ touchdowns in the aforementioned 7-on-7 period that included an acrobatic grab in the back of the end zone. Dulin is making the most of the opportunity, and coaches are noticing.
“Obviously, we’re in two weeks of practice right now, but Dulin’s made some good plays, Tread’s (Laquon Treadwell) made some good plays,” Steichen remarked. “Dulin had a great play today in the back of the end zone there. So, those guys are stepping up and I’m pleased with where that group’s at right now.”
Dulin has been a core special teamer and quality backup his entire career. 2026 may finally be the year he can prove he’s more than that.
RB Seth McGowan
With Jonathan Taylor not present for most of the voluntary OTA period due to family obligations, there have been opportunities for the other running backs to work with the starting unit. Rookie Seth McGowan is taking advantage of those reps.
McGowan has shown burst and power throughout the offseason program, leading to some big plays. Roundtable Sports’ Jake Arthur reported that McGowan has ripped off long, explosive runs each week of OTAs. The seventh-round pick is very decisive with his cuts and wastes very little time getting downhill.
A productive spring by McGowan has placed him right in the thick of the RB2 battle with former fifth-round pick DJ Giddens. The Colts would like to take some of the workload off of Taylor’s shoulders to keep him fresher throughout the season, meaning the competition between McGowan and Giddens will be one to watch throughout training camp.
Sign Up For the Colts Daily Digest – OnSI’s Indianapolis Colts Newsletter
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Cleveland, OH
Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive No. 4014 to stop in Northeast Ohio apart of cross-country tour
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The largest operating steam locomotive is traveling the East Coast this summer and will stop in the Cleveland area starting Monday.
The Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 is touring the country as part of its “Coast-to-Coast” tour honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The tour will mark a first for Ohio: it will be the first time the locomotive stops in the state.
The tour spans two months and started May 25.
Stops are expected to last between 15 and 30 minutes.
The following whistle-stops are scheduled in Ohio on June 8:
- Lorain: Near West 11th Street and Reid Avenue — 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Euclid: Chardon Road crossing, north of Euclid Avenue — 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
✏️ Inline Revision
The second round of whistle-stops in Northeast Ohio will happen on July 13, when the locomotive stops in Rocky River near 19060 Depot Street from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The locomotives were first commissioned in 1941 for the Union Pacific Railroad.
The company originally built 25 locomotives to haul heavy equipment for military purposes.
They are 133 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds.
The locomotives were retired in December 1961 but returned to service in May 2019.
The railroad company said seven Big Boys remain in the country.
A free-admission Fourth of July celebration stop will be in Philadelphia at Intrepid Avenue and League Island Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Union Pacific encourages visitors to stay at least 25 feet from the tracks and not trespass on private property.
It also asks visitors to expect a train, never pace one, and be aware of their surroundings.
A full listing of stops on the eastern leg of the tour is available on Union Pacific’s website.
The stops are also streaming on their website.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
-
Minneapolis, MN1 minute agoMinnesota 4th of July fireworks: Where to watch
-
Indianapolis, IN7 minutes ago3 Biggest Winners of Colts’ OTAs
-
Pittsburg, PA14 minutes agoNew Castle teenager charged for tailgating after two-vehicle crash in Pittsburgh – Beaver County Radio
-
Augusta, GA17 minutes agoCBS Sports production assistant from Augusta area died in car accident
-
Washington, D.C29 minutes agoTrump forges ahead with D.C. cityscape transformation against growing resistance
-
Cleveland, OH32 minutes agoUnion Pacific Big Boy locomotive No. 4014 to stop in Northeast Ohio apart of cross-country tour
-
Austin, TX37 minutes agoTexas sweeps Oregon, advances to Men’s College World Series for record 39th time
-
Alabama44 minutes agoFlooding Concerns Continue Across North Alabama as More Rain Moves In
