Unvaccinated populations across the world could be responsible for the emergence of more variants of COVID-19, according to local doctors studying the virus. The Mu and Delta variants have made a presence in the Chicago area although Dr. Egon Ozer of Northwestern Medicine says the Delta variant accounts for most of the cases today. 'Most of the MU cases were earlier in the summer and have since been declining almost everywhere except for Columbia,' said Egon. 'With current conditions, Delta is much more infectious, much more easily transmitted and so it tends to outcompete every other variant out there.

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The Northwestern Wildcats made a strong bid for an upset victory in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday afternoon, but the Ohio State Buckeyes used a strong second half from Justin Fields and Trey Sermon to win a 22-10 contest, likely punching their tickets to the College Football Playoff.



Sermon set a new Ohio State record for rushing yards in a game, besting Eddie George’s record with 331 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.



Northwestern led 10-6 at halftime, but the Buckeyes responded with a massive second half, blowing past the Wildcats and securing an undefeated season in the process.



The Wildcats got on the board early in the contest, putting together a seven-play, 75 yard drive to give themselves a 7-3 lead. Cam Porter reeled off a nine-yard touchdown run to cap off the drive. Giving the Wildcats the advantage.



After a clock-melting 14-play drive, the Wildcats ultimately had to settle for a field goal with 8:46 left I the first half, giving themselves a 10-3 lead. The Buckeyes did answer back with a field goal of their own however, making it a 10-6 game.



The half ended with an electrifying play, as Brandon Joseph went up and grabbed a one-handed interception to deny Justin Fields and the Buckeyes a score just before the half. Northwestern took a knee, heading to the locker room with a 10-6 advantage after the first half.



After seeing limited success in the first half on offense, the Wildcats’ offense sputtered to a complete halt in the second half, as turnovers and ineffective play were the dominant storylines in the second 30 minutes of the contest.



Ramsey was intercepted in the end zone early in the third quarter, then the Wildcats were forced to punt after a three-and-out on their next possession. After a missed field goal with five minutes to go in the third quarter, the Buckeyes responded with a quick seven-play, 71 yard drive, with Trey Sermon scampering in for a nine-yard touchdown with 2:41 remaining in the third to give Ohio State a 13-10 lead.



After that touchdown, Northwestern’s offense continued to sputter, as Ramsey threw another interception and then lost a fumble near midfield, giving the Buckeyes the ball back early in the fourth quarter.



Sermon continued to bulldoze his way over the Wildcats in the fourth quarter, reeling off multiple long runs on a drive that ate up a bunch of clock in the middle stages of the fourth quarter. The back racked up a remarkable 64 yards on an 80-yard drive, punching in a three-yard run to put Ohio State ahead 22-10 with just four minutes remaining in the game.



After Northwestern turned the ball over on downs, the Buckeyes were able to run the clock down, using Sermon’s running ability to push into the red zone before taking a knee and ending the contest.



Northwestern finishes the season with a 6-2 record, while the Buckeyes captured their fourth straight Big Ten championship. They’ll likely be heading to the College Football Playoff, but they’ll learn their fate on Sunday when the committee announces the four teams that will compete for the title.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-football/ohio-state-bests-northwestern-in-big-ten-title-game-likely-punching-playoff-ticket/2398953/

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Illinois’ public health department reported Saturday that 29 COVID-19-related deaths, the smallest one-day total in the state since mid-November.



Not only was the total, included in a news release from the Illinois Department of Public Health, lower than any single day since Nov. 13, but it is about a quarter of the 111 deaths the state has been averaging over the past two weeks.



The latest numbers bring the number of COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began to 16,674 and the number of cases to 975,352.



The health department also reported that there were 4,762 new confirmed and probable, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 975,352.



But the release included a potentially worrisome statistic, as well. The cases that were detected among 61,987 tests submitted on New Year’s Day helped raise the statewide average positivity rate over the past week to 8.3% from 6.8% rate a week ago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

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Javy Baez: 'measuring stick' series not measure of long season. originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago ST. LOUIS — It's still May. It's still early in what promises to be a long season. 'Longer than anybody thinks,' said Cubs shortstop Javy Báez. But is it possible the demise of the Cubs and their competitive window has been greatly exaggerated? If not, how does anyone explain their 8-1 record against the National League-favorite Dodgers, NL East-leading Mets and NL Central-leading Cardinals — after their 2-1 victory over the Cards in 10 innings on Báez's two-run homer Sunday night? And if so, how does anyone explain the 16-21 record against everyone else they've played this year? 'We're still going to have ups and downs during the season,' Báez said.

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A group of amateur storm chasers rescued 13 dogs from a kennel in Woodridge following major damage from a tornado that swept through the area Sunday night. Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers were on Lemont Road attempting to get footage of the storm when police said a lot of barking could be heard nearby, according to the group. At Dogtastic Fun, a doggie daycare and boarding facility, the owner had just arrived to let the dogs out after hearing barking and whining. The group of storm chasers helped to evacuate the stressed dogs from the facility.

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An Amber Alert was issued late Friday night for a 9-year-old girl who was abducted from her home in southern Illinois, authorities said. Alli Matthews was last seen at approximately 6:45 p.m. at her residence in the village of Keenes, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Alli was taken by Teresa Hill, 61, who is believed to be driving a teal 2012 Ford Focus with Indiana license plate 290RVI, authorities said. The 9-year-old, who is said to be 4 feet tall and weighs 90 pounds, was last seen wearing a blue nightgown and pink shoes.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/police-issue-amber-alert-for-9-year-old-girl-abducted-in-southern-illinois/2516373/

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Health officials in Illinois have recorded 602 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus on Sunday, along with 18 additional deaths and more than 39,000 COVID vaccination doses administered. According to the latest figures from the Illinois Department of Public Health, a total of 1,381,665 cases of coronavirus have now been reported in the state since the pandemic began last year. In all, 22,794 deaths are now linked to coronavirus, with 2,391 fatalities currently listed as 'probable' COVID-19 deaths, according to state officials.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-in-illinois-602-new-covid-cases-18-deaths-39k-vaccinations/2522051/

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A woman said she was carjacked at gunpoint early Christmas morning as two men drove off with her vehicle and gifts for her grandchildren.



Kelxandrya Williams said she stopped at a gas station in the 300 block of East Garfield on her way to work Friday morning.



“I had a gun pulled to my head,” Williams said. “I thought I was going to lose my life today.”



According to the Chicago Police Department, two unknown male offenders displayed a handgun and demanded her vehicle. They fled westbound on Garfield Blvd. Police said the vehicle was later found abandoned in the 7th Police District.



Police told NBC 5 no one is in custody and no one is hurt.



“I’m glad I was spared my life today on Christmas,” Williams said.



Williams recovered several items from her vehicle after it was discovered. She said the carjackers picked and sorted through the stuff they wanted and left other items from other people in her vehicle.



Williams said the incident traumatized her, but said she was trying to make sure her grandchildren had a good Christmas.



“I’m glad the police is here, you know, save my Christmas, get my vehicle back and I’m glad I got my life back,” Williams said. “I thought I wasn’t going to see my kids no more, my grandkids no more.”



The Chicago Police Department said there have been 1,400 vehicular hijackings between Jan. 1 and Dec. 20, and 604 vehicular carjackings during the same time frame in 2019.



Police said there have been a total of 173 vehicular hijacking arrests between Jan. 1 and Dec. 20. Police said there were 131 arrests during the same time frame in 2019.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/christmas-carjacking-victim-describes-frightening-incident/2402655/

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Standing in the State Dining Room on May 4, President Joe Biden laid out a lofty goal to vaccinate 70% of American adults by Independence Day, saying the U.S. would need to overcome 'doubters' and laziness to do it. 'This is your choice,' he told Americans. "It's life and death.' As for the ambition of his 70% goal, Biden added: 'I'd like to get it at 100%, but I think realistically we can get to that place between now and July Fourth." He won't. Full coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it impacts you With the July Fourth holiday approaching, the White House acknowledged this week that Biden will fall shy of his 70% goal and an associated aim of fully vaccinating 165 million adults in the same time frame.

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Chicago police say that a third suspect is now in custody in connection with a shooting that left an officer dead and another critically hurt on Saturday night in the city's West Englewood neighborhood, with Mayor Lori Lightfoot declaring an official day of mourning in the city. According to Chicago Police Supt. David Brown, the third suspect was taken into custody on Sunday morning. Two other suspects were taken into custody shortly after Saturday's shooting, one of whom was injured by gunfire. Police believe that the injured suspect was the one who opened fire and killed an officer during a traffic stop near 63rd Street and Bale on Saturday just after 9 p.

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After more than a year with the curtains closed, Broadway in Chicago is reopening in the Loop, with "RENT" opening at the CIBC Theater on Tuesday night. It has the potential to bring back millions of dollars lost during the coronavirus pandemic. Michael Edwards, CEO of The Chicago Loop Alliance, said the reopening of theaters could boost pedestrian traffic in the Loop by 20%. "Thirty-five thousand seats, seven nights a week, that's a lot of people," Edwards said. "Theater is a huge part of what makes the Loop go.

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An armed man who attempted to rob a cell phone store was shot by a witness Saturday night at the Humboldt Park business, police said.



At approximately 6:50 p.m., the unknown male offender walked into Metro PCS, 3239 W. Chicago Ave., presented a handgun and demanded property, according to law enforcement.



A witness, a 29-year-old man who holds a valid Concealed Carry License and Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, produced his own handgun and fired shots toward the offender.



The offender sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to Stroger Hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition.



Two weapons were reported, police said, one from the witness and a second from the offender.



The incident remains under investigation by detectives.

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A K-9 police dog was killed early Sunday morning after the vehicle it was sitting in was struck by an intoxicated driver, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office says.



According to a press release, the dog, named Loki, was in a police SUV at approximately 1:30 a.m. when Deputy Robert Rosenkranz initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 90.



A short time later, a driver, whom police believe was impaired, drove their vehicle into the back of the squad car.



Rosenkranz was injured by flying debris in the crash, but only suffered minor injuries, police said. Loki was badly injured in the crash, and was taken to a veterinary clinic in Rockford, where he passed away, authorities say.







The Boon County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police are investigating the crash.
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https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/boone-county-k-9-police-dog-killed-when-impaired-driver-crashes-into-squad-car/2403060/

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