Colorado gay bar shooting suspect facing murder, hate crime charges
The man suspected of opening fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs was being held on murder and hate crime charges Monday, while hundreds of people gathered to honor the five people killed and 17 wounded in the attack on a venue that for decades was a sanctuary for the local LGBTQ community.
LSU's Olivia Dunne ends NIL drama once and for all: 'Only taking steps forward'
Dunne is preparing for the 2023 LSU season.
American Airlines passenger 'WEDGED' between 'OBESE people' on flight, asks for 'reparations'
American Airlines responded, stating that its passengers come 'in all different sizes and shapes.'
Chicago’s Black contractor numbers still too low, City Council’s Black Caucus says
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration paid $763 million to prime contractors through July 31 of this year, but only 11% of that total — $82 million — went to companies owned by African-Americans.
Chicago marathon quietly adds nonbinary division, ‘hurtful’ to some runners
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the most prestigious races, drawing runners from around the globe. So when Cal Calamia heard that the race on Sunday had opened a nonbinary runner category for first time ever, they were ecstatic.
Downers Grove Public Library cancels drag queen event for teens, but controversy remains
Controversy is continuing over a now-canceled drag show event for kids at a public library in west suburban Downers Grove.
Black students at Sam Houston State University reporting racist behavior on campus
A Black female student, who chose to remain anonymous, tells FOX 26 she noticed the n-word written on dry-erase boards on the dorm room doors of black students – including her own.
Palos Park waterway gets new name, eliminating derogatory term
The water feature near Palos Park in Cook County was formerly called Laughing Squaw Sloughs, but is now known as Cherry Hill Woods Sloughs, while the former Squaw Island in Calhoun County has been renamed Calhoun Island.
Book ban efforts surging in 2022, library association says
The ALA has documented 681 challenges to books through the first eight months of this year, involving 1,651 different titles.
Illinois pride group touts family-friendly 'coming out' event featuring drag shows for kids as young as 5
A nonprofit in Illinois is slated to host a "National Coming Out Day Celebration" featuring drag performances next month that is billed as a family-friendly event for children as young as 5.
Black pastor arrested while watering neighbor's flowers sues police
Michael Jennings filed the lawsuit Friday night against three officers and the central Alabama town of Childersburg.
Brown water runs from tap in Mississippi amid water crisis
Governor Tate Reeves said progress was being made on the city’s water crisis.
BYU completes investigation into Duke player's racial slur allegations, finds no evidence to corroborate claim
BYU also lifted the ban on a fan who had been accused of shouting racial slurs.
Chicago area library defends 'Drag Queen Bingo' event for teenagers
A public library in Illinois is defending its decision to hold a "drag queen bingo" event for local teenagers, claiming that it will be a "valuable" and "affirming" experience.
BYU bans fan for yelling racial slur at Duke volleyball player
The fan was sitting in the BYU student section but was not a student, and has been banned from all athletic venues on campus, the statement said.
Italian American leaders push for return of Columbus statues, say Chicago cannot 'bury history'
“History is a treasure that cannot be buried,” said Ron Ornesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “Why not focus on the stories that need to be told. New plaques and new monuments."
Utah ruling allows transgender kids to play girls sports
Instead of an outright ban, transgender girls will now be sent before a commission that will determine on a case-by-case basis if their participation compromises fairness.
Eli Lilly, one of Indiana’s biggest employers, says it will expand out-of-state after abortion ban
"We are concerned that this law will hinder Lilly’s – and Indiana’s - ability to attract diverse scientific, engineering and business talent from around the world," Eli Lilly said in a statement.
UpRising Bakery Drag Show: Man charged with vandalizing cafe that planned to host drag performance
UpRising Bakery and Cafe had been getting online and in-person threats since the announcement of the July 23 drag show, police said. Lake in the Hills police said they had looked into the matter, and into claims on social media that children would be targeted sexually, and found “no nudity or sexually explicit content is planned to be part of the event.”
'We won't accept that': Family seen in viral Sesame Place video accuses park of discrimination
A family accusing Sesame Place of discrimination spoke publicly at a press conference in New York and called for the firing of the employee seen in the viral video with the two girls.