Former Oak Park Mother Murdered on Vacation, Daughter and Boyfriend Charged

Indonesian police last Wednesday charged a, teenager and her boyfriend from Oak Park, Ill., with the premeditated murder in the death of the girl’s mother.

New Law Allows Drivers to Retain Driver’s License Following Traffic Offense

The Illinois Association of County Officials (IACO) reportedly is happy with recent action taken by Illinois legislators for changing the law that once required drivers to give up their licenses following a traffic offense.

South Holland’s Annual Art Gallery Unites Community

The Village of South Holland is presenting its 2014 Artists’ Gallery at the South Holland Community Center, 501 E. 170th St., South Holland, Ill., from Wednesday, Aug. 27 through Saturday, Aug. 30 as part of its Heritage Fest. Heritage Fest, a staple community engagement event that has been a South Holland tradition for over 60 years, pays homage to South Holland’s past while, celebrating the diversity and future of the village, and usually is held on Labor Day weekend.

Holder says he understands mistrust of police

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Attorney General Eric Holder sought Wednesday to reassure the people of Ferguson about the investigation into Michael Brown's death and said he understands why many black Americans do not trust police, recalling how he was repeatedly stopped by officers who seemed to target him because of his race.

Hostages Freed Unharmed in Harvey Police Standoff

As of Wednesday morning, all eight people held hostage following a home invasion on the 147th block of Seeley Boulevard in Harvey, Ill., were released unharmed after an estimated two dozen SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics, a group of highly trained police officers who deal with very dangerous criminals) and Harvey police stormed the home to free four remaining hostages and captured two suspects, ending a 20-hour standoff.

Bronzeville Nights Brings Culture and Commerce to Community

The second annual Bronzeville Nights, a series of events designed to support local businesses in Chicago's Bronzeville community, kicked-off last week on the corner of 47th St. & King Dr. Presented by the Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), Bronzeville Nights are scheduled to place on the second and fourth Wednesdays of August and September in Bronzeville and will promote arts and culture in the community.

Jones College Prep H.S. School Unveils Renovations to Old Building

Jones College Prep High School (Jones H.S.) is now a two-building campus, thanks to the renovation of the school's old building at 606 S. State Street, which occurred after the school's officials decided not to tear it down. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Public Schools officials, students and staff along with members of the Chicago Public Building Commission were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the upgrades.

5 Ways Avoid Going Broke this Back-to-School Season

Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, Back-to-School season strikes fear in the hearts of America. If you’re a parent, you may be afraid you can’t keep up with the latest styles and gadgets. If you are a teacher, you’re scurrying around trying to find the best deals possible in order to supply your classroom. It’s easy to put yourself in financial peril doing these things. Well no more!

Suit Filed Against Lil Wayne for Not Paying Private Jet Service

Signature Group LLC of Miami, Florida has filed a lawsuit for more than a million dollars against popular rapper, entrepreneur and budding sports management agent, Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., better known as Lil Wayne. The complaint states that Young Money Entertainment, LLC and Dwayne Carter, president of Young Money Entertainment, owe more than $1 million in missed payments, fees and charges for leasing a Gulfstream private jet operated by Signature Group.

Comcast Offers Up to Six Months of Complimentary Internet Service for Low-Income Families

Comcast recently announced that it will include up to six months of complimentary service for any new family that has not yet applied for Internet Essentials. Families who are approved for Internet Essentials between August 4th and September 20th, 2014 will receive up to six months of Internet service. Since 2011, Comcast’s innovative broadband adoption program has connected more than 350,000 families, or about 1.4 million low-income Americans, to the power of the Internet. The program is available in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

Millions of Underserved Women in U.S. Benefit from CDC’s Breast and Cervical Screening Program

More than 4.3 million women with limited access to health care received breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services in the first 20 years of the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).

2014 Chicago Football Classic Remains Rooted In Education

Founders, stakeholders, co-sponsors, and well-wishers gathered in front of Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Dr., on Monday to reaffirm the values and generate excitement about the upcoming Chicago Football Classic (CFC). The game will be played between Central State University, hailing from in Wilberforce, Ohio and Morehouse College of Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, September 20 at Soldier Field football stadium. Kick-off time is 3:00 pm.

Jackie Robinson West All Stars Victorious Over Rhode Island

It was another big game win for the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars a south side Chicago baseball team representing the Great Lakes region in the Little League World Series 2014 games, beating the Rhode Island Little League team 8-7 on Monday.

NY police chokehold death to go to grand jury

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York prosecutor said Tuesday he would ask a grand jury to consider charges in the death of a black man placed in an apparent chokehold by a white police officer.

Attorney: Dorian Johnson confirms he, Brown robbed store

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) - The friend who was with Michael Brown when he was shot and killed by a police officer near St. Louis over the weekend is reportedly confirming that he and Brown had taken part in the theft of cigars from a convenience store that day. That word comes from the attorney for Dorian Johnson, speaking to MSNBC. Police in Ferguson had earlier announced that Brown was suspected of taking cigars from the convenience store in what was described as a "strong-arm robbery." Brown's family is accusing police of trying to draw attention away from the shooting.

President Obama Appeals For Peace in Ferguson

EDGARTOWN, Mass. — President Barack Obama on Thursday appealed for “peace and calm” on the streets of a St. Louis suburb besieged by violent clashes between police and crowds protesting the shooting death of an unarmed teenager.

Cook County Department of Veteran Affairs Hosts Workshop for Entrepreneurship

The Cook County Department of Veteran Affairs (CCDVA) in collaboration with the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) held a small business workshop at the County Building, 118 N. Clark St., on Monday for military veterans. The workshop entitled, Veterans 2 Business (V 2 B), and was open to all veterans who work for Cook County and for those who do not, and for their dependents.

Mariano’s Meet the Buyer Expo for Minority and Women-Owned Business Owners

Seventy diverse business owners and entrepreneurs converged on Rush University Medical Center’s, Searle Conference Center on Harrison Street last Friday to participate in Midwest grocer, Roundy’s, Inc., 2nd annual Meet the Buyer Expo which provides local minority- and women-owned, operated and distributed businesses in food-related industries, an opportunity to place their products on Mariano’s store shelves. The expo also showcases minority vendors who already have products in the store.

Iraq: Al-Maliki steps down, gives up post to rival

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's embattled Nouri al-Maliki has stepped down as prime minister, caving in to international and domestic pressure to give up his post to a rival politician.

Mo. State Highway Patrol to supervise security in Ferguson

FLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol will take over supervising security in the St. Louis suburb that’s been the scene of violent protests since a police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager, the governor announced Thursday.