Afternoon Briefing: Man acquitted in shooting death of 7-year-old
A Cook County jury has acquitted a man of shooting and killing 7-year-old Natalia Wallace, making him the second defendant to be found not guilty in the slaying on the Fourth of July in 2020.
Davion Mitchell was found not guilty of murder and other felonies a week after jury selection began on April 4. In December, Cook County Judge Joanne Rosado found a co-defendant, Kevin Boyd, guilty of murder, but she acquitted the alleged getaway driver, Reginald Merrill. Charges are still pending against a fourth man, Boyd's brother, Terrell Boyd.
Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
People with disabilities struggle to find space in Chicago's homeless shelters
The Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing has a lawsuit against the city winding its way through federal court alleging the city doesn't operate or design the emergency shelter program 'in a manner that would provide equivalent services' to individuals with mobility disabilities. Read more here.
Loretto Hospital reports data breach
The personal information of more than 500 people may have been compromised in a hacking incident at Loretto Hospital on the city's West Side, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball injuries create uncertainty and 'a problem' for Chicago Bulls in play-in tournament
The potential of losing all three point guards for two knockout games places the Chicago Bulls at a steep disadvantage as they attempt to return to the playoffs. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
What to know about tonight's WNBA draft, including how — and who — to watch and when the Chicago Sky pick
Chicago Bears and CB Kyler Gordon agree to a contract extension worth a reported $40 million over 3 years
CSO gives a sneak peek of its big Amsterdam trip with upcoming Mahler concerts
The hottest festival ticket happens just once a generation, if not once a lifetime. That would be the Mahler Festival, a musical G20 summit of sorts celebrating the life and legacy of Gustav Mahler. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
What to know about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the alleged arson at his official residence
A man is facing charges after authorities say he broke into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion in the middle of the night, set a fire that left significant damage and forced Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building during the Jewish holiday of Passover. Read more here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: What new Indiana laws went into effect today
Good afternoon, Chicago. Dozens of new laws that affect education in Indiana, from sex education to teacher pay, become effective today. State lawmakers spent three months, from January to April in Indianapolis, crafting the bills that Gov. Mike Braun would eventually sign into law. The GOP-dominated legislature focused closely on education, from establishing a new K-12 grading system to creating new rules for teaching sex education. Today is also the deadline for requiring state and local agencies in Indiana like county commissions, town and city councils and school boards to livestream public meetings. State lawmakers passed the new law in 2023, deliberately giving elected bodies two years to prepare. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History An Illinois lawmaker who represented parts of Chicago's South Side from 2013 to 2019, Christian Mitchell also served as a deputy governor in the administration of Gov. JB Pritzker from 2019 to 2023 when he was a lead strategist on energy issues. Read more here. More top news stories: Some Clarendon Hills residents are speaking out against the proposed addition of a downtown plaza on Prospect Avenue, an idea being considered by village officials. Read more here. More top business stories: June went by quickly for the Chicago Cubs, who went 13-13 and missed out on a chance to put some space between them and their closest pursuers, the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. The outlook for the White Sox isn't quite as rosy as that of the Cubs, but neither is the short-term goal. Read more here. More top sports stories: Tyler, the Creator got comfortable yesterday at the first of a two-night stand at a packed United Center. He sat down, unlaced his shoes and slipped them off. He sprawled on a chaise, had a snack and sympathetically complained about body aches that greet people in their mid-30s. He made a B-stage on the floor his own domain — a personal den complete with an old-school hi-fi. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: Senate Republicans hauled President Donald Trump's big tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage Tuesday on the narrowest of votes, pushing past opposition from Democrats and their own GOP ranks after a turbulent overnight session. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
2 hours ago
Lone wolf actor biggest threat to 4th of July festivities in New York, San Francisco: FBI, DHS bulletins
A lone wolf actor poses the biggest threat to Fourth of July celebrations in New York and San Francisco, according to multiple intelligence bulletins obtained by ABC News. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are concerned about the potential for copycat attacks from the New Orleans terror attack on New Year's Day, as well as homegrown extremists. "We are concerned about the potential threat of copycat attacks inspired by the 2025 New Year's Day vehicle-ramming attack in New Orleans and continued [foreign terrorist organizations] messaging calling for attacks against Western targets," both bulletins say. Those who could be inspired by terrorist organizations who are in the U.S., are of concern for law enforcement, according to the bulletins. In New York, officials are concerned about individuals "motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal, or personal grievances." "Of these actors, US-based violent extremists supporting FTOs and [Domestic violent extremists] not linked to FTOs represent two of the most persistent threats," the bulletins say. "Lone offenders, in particular, remain a concern due to their ability to often avoid detection until operational and to inflict significant casualties." In San Francisco, "malicious actors, including violent extremists and criminals, could potentially exploit or target First Amendment-protected demonstrations via mass casualty or opportunistic attacks; dangerous, destructive, or disruptive activity; or other criminal disruptions, as we have seen with other events in the past," according to DHS. "We remain concerned that these malicious actors and violent extremists may attempt to create public safety hazards using weapons, chemical irritants, bodily fluids, or other hazardous materials, and enter and disrupt designated event areas that are closed to public access," say both bulletins dated June 23, 2025. Authorities are also concerned about drones, which may pose a danger to participants, attendees and law enforcement, authorities say. The conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas is also of concern, and authorities cite last month's Molotov cocktail attack in Boulder, Colorado, and bias against the Jewish community as an indicator. "Individuals with grievances linked to the conflict could also perceive large gatherings, such as Independence Day celebrations, as opportunistic targets symbolic of the West in general," according to the law enforcement bulletins.
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Violent crime went down last year in Mass. but anti-Jewish hate crimes spiked, officials say
In Boston, officials said, the tallies were 26 murders last year, compared to 39 in 2023; 170 rapes last year, down from 216 in 2023; 3,129 aggravated assaults in 2024, compared to 2,950 in 2023; and 834 robberies last year, compared to 887 in 2023. Advertisement While the statewide violent crime data's encouraging, the hate crime numbers point to a more concerning trend, even though the overall tally of such offenses decreased last year, the statement said. Officials said that despite the overall decrease, reports of anti-Semitic hate crimes increased by 20.5 percent last year. For the first time since tracking began in 1991, officials said, anti-Jewish hate crimes surpassed anti-Black offenses in 2024. Advertisement 'This new data is encouraging and reflects the important work that law enforcement and community partners do day in and day out to keep the people of Massachusetts safe,' said Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat and former state attorney general, in a statement. 'We know there is always more work to be done, and we remain committed to bringing people together to continue to enhance public safety in communities across the state,' Healey said. Boston MA- June 16 Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey speaking during a Northeast governors and Canadian premiers to talk trade and tariffs at the State House Library on June 16 2025. Photo by Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff The governor's words were echoed by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 'Partnership between law enforcement and the communities they serve is the cornerstone of effective public safety,' said Driscoll in a statement. 'The continued improvements that we see in 2024 reflect a deeply held shared commitment to collaborative solutions that promote safer communities.' Lt. Gov. of Massachusetts Kim Driscoll arrives at the JFK Library, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press According to preliminary state data, Massachusetts logged 466 reported hate crimes last year, down from 560 in 2023. Officials said 130 such complaints last year dealt with anti-Jewish bias, up from 105 in 2023. 'While this 2024 data offers an encouraging snapshot-in-time, it also reinforces the importance of staying focused and coordinated in our efforts to reduce crime,' said state Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy in a statement. 'We are deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as our many community partners and remain dedicated to our continued efforts to develop cooperative, evidence-based solutions that keep our Massachusetts neighborhoods safe,' Reidy said. Terrence Reidy. Lane Turner/Globe Staff Travis Andersen can be reached at
