Latest news with #WMAQ
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Father and Son Drowned After Game of Catch Went Wrong in Lake Michigan
Father and son, David Meneou, 65, and Jameson Meneou, 20, both drowned in Lake Michigan on July 5, after they struggled in the water, authorities said Family members said the two were playing a game of catch when the tragedy happened Authorities said the investigation into the incident is ongoingA father and son were reportedly playing a game of catch before they both tragically drowned in Lake Michigan over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, authorities and family members said. The victims were identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Ill., and Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, Ill., the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said in a news release shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, July 9. Authorities said the incident occurred on Saturday, July 5. At about 4:20 p.m., local time, emergency responders were notified about a reported active water rescue on the lake near the town of Dune Acres in Indiana. 'When the Conservation Officers arrived, two men had been removed from the water by a Good Samaritan,' the DNR stated in its news release. 'Conservation Officers and National Park Rangers boated the men to the Port of Indiana while performing CPR. The two men were taken to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Candace Keller Meneou, David's former wife and Jameson's mother, told NBC affiliate WMAQ that the two victims were on a boat in Lake Michigan headed to Dune Acres near Indiana Dunes National Park. She added that David and Jameson, who had autism, were playing catch when, at some point, the ball was thrown overboard. PEOPLE contacted Keller Meneou for comment on Wednesday. According to the DNR, both men were in the water at the time when Jameson went into deep water and experienced trouble. 'David Meneou attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle in the deep water,' per the news release. Keller Meneou told WMAQ that for Jameson, who was her only child, 'Playing catch with his dad was his favorite thing to do," adding that David loved his son. Daniel Meneou, David's brother and Jameson's uncle, echoed similar sentiments in an interview with CBS affiliate WBBM about the love between father and son. "Jamie was his life," Daniel told the outlet about David. "Of course, my brother was going to try to save his son.' According to Daniel, based on what he heard from witnesses, David and Jameson's boat was anchored on a sandbar, and the two were playing their game when the ball went into the water and Jameson tried to retrieve it. Daniel also noted that there were other boaters that day helping out. "I mean, it made us feel good at the moment," he told WBBM. The DNR said in its news release that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Read the original article on People
CBS News
07-06-2025
- CBS News
Longtime Chicago television investigative reporter Renee Ferguson dies at 75
Former WBBM-TV reporter Renee Ferguson has died at the age of 75. Ferguson, the first African American woman to work as an investigative reporter in Chicago television, was an investigative reporter for WBBM from 1977 to 1983, when she went to work as a correspondent for network CBS News. She returned to Chicago in 1987 as an investigative reporter for WMAQ-TV, where she spent the bulk of her career at the NBC station. Ferguson retired from WMAQ-TV in 2008. "Renee Ferguson left an incredible echo in our newsroom that still rings through the DNA of our investigative journalism, and that legacy will continue," said Kevin Cross, president and general manager of NBCU Local Chicago.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Triplets Who Graduated at Top of Middle School Class Now Headed to Same University: 'We Won't Leave Each Other Behind'
A set of triplets are all headed to the University of Illinois this fall However, Aaron, Brandon, and Christopher Williams-Orr say the similarities may stop there as they all plan to have different majors As their high school noted, the brothers previously made news when they graduated 'as the top three eighth graders at their middle school in 2021"Students and staff at the University of Illinois will soon be seeing triple. Triplets Aaron, Brandon and Christopher Williams-Orr are graduating from high school in Chicago on Saturday, May 24, and all three brothers are set to attend the college together in the fall. "We won't leave each other behind," Brandon told NBC affiliate WMAQ. But don't expect to see them attending the same classes. Brandon is planning to become a computer engineering student, Aaron has his sights set on studying business and Christopher is interested in political science, according to the outlet. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a sweet tribute, their high school, Providence St. Mel School, noted that the brothers previously made headlines when they graduated 'as the top three eighth graders at their middle school in 2021.' In high school, the trio 'found their footing quickly' and all three received 'impressive scholarships' provided by the University of Illinois and outside organizations. They credit their parents for helping them get to this milestone moment. "They kept pushing us from a young age," Christopher told WMAQ. "When we were little, my mom and my dad had us spelling words all over the wall, they made sure we knew how to spell, read and write and everything else like that." The Williams-Orr brothers are not alone in their success. Their high school's website says that for 47 consecutive years, 100% of Providence St. Mel graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges. A representative from the school tells PEOPLE, 'We are very proud of our triplets and all our graduates, which this year include a National Merit Scholarship finalist and a Gates Scholarship recipient.' Read the original article on People
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Woman brutally attacked at McDonald's for her sexual orientation, IL cops say
A pair passing by a woman at an Illinois McDonald's made 'derogatory remarks' toward her, then brutally attacked her, police said. A 19-year-old and a juvenile started a verbal confrontation about the woman's sexual orientation as she was going into the bathroom on May 13, according to Carpentersville police and a GoFundMe started by Kady Grass. The confrontation escalated and Grass was punched and kicked in the head, according to a criminal complaint. The victim shared photos of bruises on her face and body and said she was attacked 'all because I date women instead of men,' she wrote in a GoFundMe. 'One hit me in the jaw and one was hitting me in the front and then I didn't realize that I was getting hit behind until a little bit later, like it took me a while to realize,' Grass told WMAQ. She was taken to the hospital for her injuries, police said. She suffered a broken nose and injuries to her face, according to charging documents. John Kammrad, 19, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and mob violence, according to charging documents. The juvenile suspect was not named, but is facing felony charges. Deputy Police Chief Kevin Stankowitz said in an email to McClatchy News that case facts were reviewed to see if hate crime charges were warranted, but he said prosecutors declined to charge the two with hate crimes. The juvenile turned himself in on May 16 and Kammrad was arrested May 17. Kammrad is scheduled to appear in court June 27, prosecutors said. Carpentersville is about a 40-mile drive northwest from Chicago.
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Teen killed in spring break crash, IN cops say. Dad ‘never got to say goodbye'
A family spring break trip ended in tragedy when a car crash claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy from Illinois. Jordan Laskowski, his sister Riley, his mother, his grandmother and another sister, were driving through Lebanon, Indiana, when the single-car crash occurred April 4, according to WMAQ. The crash ejected Jordan and Riley from the car, WMAQ reported. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital and his sister was severely injured, the outlet reported. WLS reported his other sister, mom and grandma weren't seriously injured. 'This is a very tough time for (the) family,' a friend said in a GoFundMe. The Daily Herald reported that Jordan was an eighth grade student at Wredling Middle School in St. Charles Community Unit District 303. His father Scott called Jordan an 'amazing kid' in a Facebook post expressing his devastation. Before the crash, he was excited to watch his son play high school football within the year. 'I never got to say goodbye to my son,' he said. 'He was my best friend and everyone knew that. I wish I could trade places with him.' The crash is still under investigation, WRTV reported.
