Kazmierczak spent
two days in motel room before shooting
Chicago Tribune Feb 16, 08 10:43 AM CST
(Newser)
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Before his shooting rampage at NIU, Steven Kazmierczak spent two days in a motel, taking cold medicine and drinking Red Bull, the Chicago Tribune reports. He left behind no note, only a sealed duffel bag filled with gun ammo. Kazmierczak, who had stopped taking medication for anxiety, also sent his ex-girlfriend packages loaded with gun accessories. He instructed her not to open them until Valentine’s Day.
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NIU sociology profs, students are stunned
Chicago Tribune Feb 15, 08 5:54 PM CST
(Newser)
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Northern Illinois University profs and students who knew Stephen Kazmierczak said today they were stunned by his transformation into a killer: “I knew him as a warm, sensitive, very bright student,” one professor said in disbelief. "I have had him in my home." A mentor told the Chicago Tribune , "He was the most gentle, even guy." A fellow student said he was "probably the best student in the class."
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UPDATED
Another 16 wounded after he opens fire
in Northern Illinois lecture hall
Chicago Tribune Feb 14, 08 6:06 PM CST
(Newser)
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A gunman opened fire in a packed lecture hall at Northern Illinois University today, killing five students before fatally shooting himself, the Chicago Tribune reports. Another 16 people were wounded. Witnesses say the gunman, clad in black, entered the lecture hall without speaking and opened fire. He had a shotgun and two handguns. Police identified him only as a former grad student with no apparent criminal history.
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Democratic senator
is victorious
in home state
MSNBC Feb 5, 08 7:09 PM CST
(Newser)
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Barack Obama is the projected winner in his home state of Illinois. John McCain won the GOP race in the Land of Lincoln. Obama was widely expected to take Illinois by a big margin, MSNBC reports. The state awards 153 Democratic delegates proportionally and 57 Republican delegates in a winner-take-all model, the BBC adds.
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Two killed in unseasonal storms
CNN Jan 8, 08 11:29 AM CST
(Newser)
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A series of freak tornadoes touched down last night across the Midwest, killing two Missouri women and leaving a swath of destruction in their wake, CNN reports. Another person was killed when another twister hit Arkansas this morning. “I’ve never seen damage like this in the summertime,” said one Wisconsin sheriff. “To see something like this in January is mind-boggling.”
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Ill. casino bosses worry about losing business to tobacco-friendly rivals
Chicago Tribune Jan 1, 08 9:12 AM CST
(Newser)
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The brand-new ban on indoor smoking in Illinois is expected to hit the state's nine casinos hard, the Chicago Tribune reports. Plenty of gamblers like a smoke, and along the Mississippi River, all they'll need to do is cross into Missouri or Iowa to enjoy one. "No smoking and I'm gone elsewhere," said one gambler. "Gambling and smoking—they just go together."
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Chicago woman ran away with her lover, authorities say
Chicago Tribune Dec 29, 07 3:36 PM CST
(Newser)
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Police in Chicago who spent $250,000 searching for a missing suburban wife now say she's safe and sound—she just ran away with her lover. Police spent the week searching along the Des Plaines River after finding the woman's car in a parking lot with the door open and the engine running. She returned to the area last night and met with authorities, the Chicago Tribune reports. No word yet on possible charges.
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Defenders tout controversial herbal remedy's benefits as law closes in
Chicago Tribune Dec 26, 07 10:21 AM CST
(Newser)
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An impending ban on a hallucinogenic plant used in religious ceremonies by Mazatec Indians in Mexico has defenders of the herb objecting to the fact that it's about to be illegal in Illinois. Possessing salvia divinorum will be a felony beginning Tuesday. Defenders of the herb insist it offers beneficial effects, such as stress relief and spiritual awakening.
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Holiday parties to substitute fruit, other 'healthy' treats to replace banned sweets
Chicago Tribune Dec 17, 07 10:16 AM CST
(Newser)
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Holiday parties in classrooms around Chicago won't be covered with red and green sprinkles this year, the Chicago Tribune reports. More and more schools are banning cupcakes in favor of "healthy" things like fruit skewers fashioned into reindeer antlers. It's part of a national trend to make special-occasion snacks consistent with the healthy-eating message and more nutritious school lunches.
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15 fatalities reported; weather service warns of more storms tomorrow
Associated Press Dec 10, 07 6:55 PM CST
(Newser)
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An icy storm plunged more than 600,000 Midwesterners into freezing darkness today, crippling power and causing about 15 fatalities on slippery roads, the AP reports. Oklahoma fared worst, declaring a state of emergency as schools shut down and hospitals ran on backup generators. More is on the way, according to the National Weather Service—which posted ice and storm warnings for parts of several states tomorrow.
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Ex-cop suspected
of wife's murder grumbles about being shunned by pals
Chicago Tribune Dec 7, 07 11:20 AM CST
(Newser)
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It really got to Drew Peterson: his picture on a pinata at a vigil last weekend for his missing wife, Stacy. The former Illinois police sergeant, a suspect in Stacy's presumed murder, complains to the Chicago Tribune that he's been shunned by friends and former buddies on the force. He laments that police officers "who I would have jumped in front of a bullet for" now give him the cold shoulder.
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Fellow cop never charged in 18 domestic disturbance calls
Associated Press Dec 1, 07 9:09 AM CST
(Newser)
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In the two years before Kathleen Savio was found dead in a bathtub, local police responded to 18 domestic disturbance calls at the suburban Chicago house she shared with policeman husband Drew Peterson, AP reports. Charges were filed twice—against her. Her death is now suspected to be murder and the town's residents wonder if their cops protected one of their own.
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Conservative voice in the House for 32 years; led Clinton impeachment
Chicago Tribune Nov 29, 07 8:59 AM CST
(Newser)
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Henry Hyde, the former Illinois congressman who was a powerful conservative voice in the capital for decades, died today at 83. As the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Hyde took the lead in the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton. He was a vocal foe of abortion, sponsoring what came to be known as the Hyde Amendment, which cut off federal funding for the procedure.
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Duke beats Illinois, Memphis takes Arkansas, Florida routs North Florida
Associated Press Nov 21, 07 7:37 AM CST
(Newser)
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UCLA bounced back from an awful first half to beat Michigan State 68-63. The Bruins struggled early, falling behind 36-25 at halftime, but the highly touted big man Kevin Love led the Bruins back with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
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