Illinois News Digest

| January 17, 2020 12:05 PM

Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up today in Illinois. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Chicago bureau at 312-781-0500 or [email protected]. A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Central.

Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

TOP STORY:

BARBERSHOP SHOOTING-CHICAGO

CHICAGO — Two young brothers were among five people shot and wounded when gunmen fired through the window of a Chicago barbershop, police said Friday. Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said it’s “heartbreaking” the youths were among the five shooting victims — ages 11, 12, 16, 30 and 40. He said the five remained in serious to critical condition, but all were stable at local hospitals Friday.

AROUND THE STATE:

STARBUCKS-TRUCK CRASH

McHENRY, Ill. — The driver of a pickup truck that slammed into an Illinois Starbucks had a “medical emergency” before the crash that injured several people, police said Friday. Police said in a statement that the driver, identified as a 53-year-old man from Lakemoor, will not be cited or charged. McHenry police spokesman Patrick Polidori told The Associated Press that he could not release more information about the man's medical issue. SENT: 200 words, photos, video.

LAKE MICHIGAN-INDIANA EROSION

OGDEN DUNES, Ind. — An Indiana state agency has declined to declare that a beach erosion emergency exists along Lake Michigan due to high water levels and a series of powerful winter storms. State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, and state Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, had asked Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to declare a disaster in Indiana’s lakeside Porter and LaPorte counties due to beach erosion. But in a letter issued Wednesday, the executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Stephen Cox, said the damage to public resources along the shoreline is insufficient to open the spigot of federal disaster funds that typically follows a state emergency declaration. UPCOMING: 300 words.

MISSOURI-BOAT ACCIDENT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The owner of a tourist duck boat that sank in a Missouri lake, killing 17 people, has settled its final pending lawsuit for an undisclosed amount. Thirty-one lawsuits have been filed against Ripley Entertainment since the former World War II amphibious vehicle sank in July 2018 at Table Rock Lake near Branson. A joint motion for approval of a confidential settlement was filed Thursday in the final pending suit, which was filed by Joseph and William Strecker. By Heather Hollingsworth. SENT: 300 words.

WINTER WEATHER

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A plane slid off the taxiway at Kansas City International Airport on Friday due to icy conditions that also have closed schools, universities and government offices as a sprawling winter storm hits large sections of the Midwest and beyond. SENT: 190 words, photos, video.

SPORTS:

BBN--CUBS-BRYANT

CHICAGO — Kris Bryant makes what could be a somewhat awkward appearance at the Chicago Cubs' annual fan convention. Bryant has been the subject of trade rumors all winter long, and the 2016 NL MVP also has a long-running grievance over service time that could be resolved soon. By Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

BKN--BULLS-76ERS

PHILADELPHIA — The Chicago Bulls visit the Philadelphia 76ers. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 6 p.m.

BKC--BIG TEN THIS WEEK

What to watch in Big Ten basketball this weekend. By Eric Olson. SENT: 500 words, photos.

Also:

— SOC--US-WALES EXHIBITION: The U.S. men's soccer team will play an exhibition against Wales at Cardiff on March 30. SENT: 130 words.

If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them to [email protected]. If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at [email protected] or 877-836-9477.