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10 shot, 2 fatally, Wednesday in Chicagoon March 25, 2021 at 8:40 am

Ten people were shot, two fatally, Wednesday in Chicago including a 31-year-old man was killed in a drive-by shooting Wednesday in Gresham on the South Side.

About 1:25 p.m., he was standing in an alley in the 8400 block of South Morgan Street, when a light-colored vehicle pulled up and someone from inside fired shots, Chicago police said. The man suffered several gunshot wounds to his body and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.

A person was fatally shot Wednesday morning in Englewood on the South Side. Officers responded to a report of gunfire about 1:15 a.m. and found a male with gunshot wounds to his head and face in the 7200 block of South Paulina Street, police said in a statement. The unresponsive male was rushed to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In non-fatal shootings, a woman was critically wounded in a shooting in Cragin on the Northwest Side. The woman, 37, was shot by someone in a dark-colored SUV about 8:40 p.m. while riding in a vehicle in the 5300 block of West Wrightwood Avenue, police said. She was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center with a gunshot wound to her head, and was listed in critical condition.

Two people were shot in Brainerd on the South Side. Someone in a dark-colored vehicle drove up and fired shots at the pair after an argument about 5:05 p.m. in the 9200 block of South May Street, police said. One man, 20, was struck in the ankle and taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in good condition. The other man, 19, was grazed on the back and thigh and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was also in good condition.

A 23-year-old man was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side. He was standing on the sidewalk about 3:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Altgeld Street when a vehicle pulled up and someone fired shots from inside, police said. The man was shot in the hand and taken to Norwegian American Hospital in good condition.

About a half hour prior a man was shot in Englewood on the South Side. The man, 32, was shot in the leg about 2:40 p.m. in the 1300 block of West 71st Street, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.

Less than an hour prior, a 25-year-old man was shot in his foot in Longwood Manor on the South Side. A light-colored vehicle pulled up about 2 p.m. and someone inside shot the man as he stood on a sidewalk in the 9600 block of South Harvard Avenue, police said. The man went to Roseland Community Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.

Two people were wounded in separate shootings at the same time, one in Fernwood on the Far South Side and the other in Austin on the West Side. A 22-year-old woman was shot about 4:10 a.m. while she argued with the boyfriend outside a home in the 10200 block of South Wentworth Avenue, police said. She took herself to Trinity Hospital, where she was listed fair condition. The man fled the scene before police arrived and was not in custody.

At the same time a 35-year-old man was shot as he was walking in the 1000 block of North Massasoit Avenue, police said. He was struck in the armpit and taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in fair condition.

Five people were shot, one fatally, citywide Tuesday.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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10 shot, 2 fatally, Wednesday in Chicagoon March 25, 2021 at 8:40 am Read More »

Man fatally shot by police in suburban Forest Park: police sayon March 25, 2021 at 7:24 am

A man was fatally shot Wednesday night by police in west suburban Forest Park, according to Forest Park police.

About 7:50 p.m., officers received calls of a man who dropped a pistol on the floor of a Jimmy Johns at 350 Circle Ave., according to a statement from police. Witnesses told police the man was waving the gun around saying, “Please don’t make me do this now.”

The man then walked outside the restaurant and stood with the pistol in his hand, and when officers arrived at the scene shots were fired, police said. The man was placed into custody and rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The pistol was recovered, police said. The officers involved were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

It is not known if any officer was struck by gunfire.

The shooting will be investigated by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force.

This is a developing story, check back for details.

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Man fatally shot by police in suburban Forest Park: police sayon March 25, 2021 at 7:24 am Read More »

Man charged with shooting last year in Washington Park: policeon March 25, 2021 at 6:37 am

A 30-year-old man has been charged with a February 2020 shooting in Washington Park on the South Side.

Aaron Harrington, of Jeffery Manor, was charged with a felony count of aggravated battery with a firearm, a felony count of aggravated assault with a firearm, and a felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm, Chicago police said.

About 5:10 a.m. February 22, 2020, a 29-year-old man was walking into a building in the 6200 block of South Michigan Avenue, when another man saw him, pulled out a gun and fired two shots, according to police.

He was hit once in the lower back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. His condition was stabilized.

Harrington was arrested at his home Tuesday in the 9600 block of South Hoxie Avenue, after being identified by police as the person who allegedly fired shots, police said.

He is due in bond court Thursday.

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Man charged with shooting last year in Washington Park: policeon March 25, 2021 at 6:37 am Read More »

Horoscope for Thursday, March 25, 2021on March 25, 2021 at 5:01 am

Moon Alert

Caution: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 8 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Leo into Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This is fantastic day to have fun! Enjoy playful activities with kids. Grab every opportunity to express your creative talents. Schmooze and socialize with dear friends; however, restrict spending to food and gas. (See moon alert.)

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a feel-good day even though you might want to cocoon at home. (Conversely, some of you will want to entertain at home.) Whatever you do, you will be inclined to do it big. “Fresh horses and more whiskey for my men!” Check moon alert.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

You feel friendly and eager to talk to others. (Avoid making promises you can’t deliver because you will be inclined to do this today.) Enjoy creative activities and fun times but restrict your spending to food and gas. (See moon alert.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Caution: Most of today is a moon alert, which means it’s a poor day to buy anything other than food. (Or gas.) However, you will be tempted to shop and be extravagant! This is a dangerous combo. Protect yourself and save your money.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

The moon is in your sign, which gives you a bit of extra luck. However, it is a moon alert today. (See above.) Therefore, avoid important decisions. Don’t volunteer for anything. Do not shop (except for food.) Enjoy schmoozing and expressing your creative talents.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Today is a moon alert, which is a poor time to make important decisions or to initiate anything. It’s also a poor time to shop for anything other than food. Actually, this will suit you fine because you prefer to keep a low profile. Perfect!

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You will enjoy good times with friends or groups. People are sociable, which is why they’re glad to see your face. In terms of spending money — be careful. Today is a moon alert almost all day, which means restrict spending to food and entertainment. Forewarned is forearmed.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

This is a tricky day because most of this day is a moon alert, which means avoid important decisions. Don’t volunteer for anything. Don’t spend money except for food (and entertainment). Meanwhile, you are high visibility. People notice you. Deal with this as best you can.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

This is a playful week and today is a playful day. Enjoy sports events, social activities, fun times with children and romantic tete-a-tetes. Be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert. Restrict spending to food and entertaining diversions. Very creative day for you!

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Please be careful. Use restraint because today is a moon alert, which means don’t spend money on anything other than food, gas and entertainment. It’s a poor day for important decisions or to volunteer for something. Note: This particular moon alert highlights both your money houses!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You might be tempted to go overboard in some way, especially related to your health, or a pet, or something to do with your job. Definitely restrict spending to food, gas and entertainment because almost all of this day is a moon alert. Forewarned is forearmed.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Because you are involved with close friends and partners, you might want to please them. You might feel you need to agree or volunteer for something. However, today is a moon alert, which means restrict spending to food and don’t agree to anything important.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker (1965) shares your birthdayoro0325. You are playful and high spirited! You can be blunt. Your sharp mind makes you an excellent debater. Service to others will be an important theme for you this year, especially within your family. Therefore, take care of yourself so that you can be a strong resource. Meanwhile, decide to invest in the relationships that you value. Hang out with quality people.

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Horoscope for Thursday, March 25, 2021on March 25, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »

Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, March 26-28on March 25, 2021 at 4:59 am

The Beeronaut

Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, March 26-28

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Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, March 26-28on March 25, 2021 at 4:59 am Read More »

Are Bradley, Illinois voters getting the truth in the mayoral race?on March 25, 2021 at 4:47 am

Politics Now

Are Bradley, Illinois voters getting the truth in the mayoral race?

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Are Bradley, Illinois voters getting the truth in the mayoral race?on March 25, 2021 at 4:47 am Read More »

Bulls continue stumbling, but front office remains patient at deadlineon March 25, 2021 at 3:04 am

It’s a mindset that started last season for Zach LaVine.

It was then that the Bulls guard admitted he would like to be part of an organization that valued his opinion on roster decisions and thought enough about him to at least keep him in the loop.

A year later and an All-Star Game now on the resume, LaVine’s stance hasn’t changed much. If the Bulls are planning to make a move before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline, LaVine would appreciate an opinion. He’s definitely not going to be the one to go and tell executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas how to do his job, but a heads up would be nice.

“It’s just not who I am,” LaVine said Wednesday. “I don’t know if that will change or not in the future. But just who I am, I try to let my play speak on the court. Obviously if somebody comes up to me, I’ll be very honest and give my opinion. But I’m not going to go out of my way and try to tell somebody how to do their job. That’s just not in my nature.

“If something happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.”

If the 103-94 embarrassing loss to Cleveland at the United Center was any indication of the direction the Bulls should be leaning, the front office might want to flip the switch to sell mode. However, very little was happening as of late Wednesday night.

Rumors surrounding the Bulls were of course hovering. There remained interest in New Orleans point guard Lonzo Ball – an interest that began when Ball was still a Laker, as reported by the Sun-Times. There was still hope of possibly ridding themselves of the remainder of Otto Porter’s contract. Lauri Markkanen and Tomas Satoransky were in play as trade chips as well.

But as far as substantial heated talks? Not yet.

One NBA executive reiterated to the Sun-Times that Karnisovas might be one of the more difficult VPs to read, which could be a strength that benefits the Bulls as the deadline ticks down. Either way, there was nothing imminent in an obviously fluid situation.

Enough so that coach Billy Donovan couldn’t even say if the 19-24 Bulls would be sellers or buyers.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t say we’ve identified it either way, buyers or sellers, as much as we’ve identified as, you know, we’re looking just to constantly try to improve the team,” Donovan said. “And I think in saying that it’s something where we’ve gotta be patient and be in for the long-haul, so to speak. And I think the decisions that Arturas and [general manager] Marc [Eversley] will make will be decisions that are not gonna be just immediate decisions for this year, but how does it impact us long-term?

“It’s good cause obviously you’re dealing with guys’ contracts, what does a guy’s contract look like? How many years does he have left? Would he be willing to re-sign? … I think all those things Arturas will definitely evaluate. But I think any decision that is gonna be made would not be so short-sighted that it would just be focused on the next two months, but how does it impact the organization going forward, I would say would be the best way to look at it.”

What wouldn’t happen is Karnisovas being reactionary based on one poor performance against the Cavs. And poor it was. Another 15 turnovers, too many fouls, and a poor shooting night from outside (8-for-28 from three-point range).

“I think [Karnisovas is] probably going to look at the season in its totality of the 40-plus games we’ve played,” Donovan said after the second-straight loss. “I wouldn’t anticipate this game is all of a sudden going to trigger some kind of reaction.”

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Bulls continue stumbling, but front office remains patient at deadlineon March 25, 2021 at 3:04 am Read More »

Cubs will have fourth minor-league option on right-hander Adbert Alzolayon March 25, 2021 at 2:30 am

PEORIA, Ariz. – Right-hander Adbert Alzolay will have a fourth minor-league option in 2021 after an arbiter ruled in the Cubs favor this week. Alzolay has been competing with right-hander Alec Mills for the fifth-starter job this spring.

While the Cubs were going to have to monitor Alzolay’s innings regardless of the decision, the additional option year would allow the team to start him at the alternate site in South Bend and option him to Triple-A during the season without having to put him on waivers.

Alzolay’s option decision may now open another potential roster spot should Alzolay not break camp with the team. Non-roster invitee Shelby Miller, who has had a strong spring, may now have an even better case to make the team.

Manager David Ross has held firm this spring that players who deserve to be on the big league roster will be on the Major League roster, but for a young player like Alzolay who has had a taste of success in the big leagues, he’s not thinking of being anywhere except Chicago.

“‘We love to compete,” Alzolay said earlier this spring. ”So I feel like everyone is doing their part to go and compete for that spot, and then it’s just up to the organization what they want to do. But my personal opinion, yes, I feel ready to be a starter.”

“I remember sending him down last year and he was like, ‘What are you talking about?,’ Ross said. “He believes in himself, which you want every player to believe in themselves and that’s a great thing. … I think that speaks to how these competitors’ mindset work. They feel like they belong. He’s had success and has built on that and is growing. So I’m glad he believes he belongs on the team. I believe he’s going to be a really good Major League pitcher.

Romine slowly progressing, Opening Day in doubt

With each passing day, it appears more likely that catcher Austin Romine won’t be ready in time for Opening Day. Romine has been sidelined with a right knee sprain and hasn’t played in a game since March 6. The Cubs’ catcher signed a one-year deal in the offseason to be Willson Contreras’ primary backup.

Romine has been doing some light baseball activities, but has yet to begin agility work, running the bases or on-field hitting. The Cubs are pleased with the work done by catcher PJ Higgins this spring both with his ability to call games and his versatility. Higgins would be next in line if Romine is unable to start the regular season.

“It’s still slow,” Ross said. “It’s getting better every day. The reports [are that] he feels better. I think there’s still some hesitancy on rotating on that knee and swinging. But he is throwing, he’s in the weight room I think he’s able to do a few things, but the last thing you want is that swelling to come back in there and so the trainers have a plan with him.”

Cubs minor leaguer tests positive for COVID-19

A Cubs minor league player tested positive for COVID-19, Ross announced on Wednesday. According to the Cubs’ manager, all players and staff tested negative for coronavirus. Players in Minor League camp have been separated from the players in Major League Camp this spring as part of MLB’s health and safety protocols.

Earlier this month, reliever Pedro Strop was forced to be away from the team after breaking COVID protocols by eating inside a restaurant.

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Cubs will have fourth minor-league option on right-hander Adbert Alzolayon March 25, 2021 at 2:30 am Read More »

Call of the wild: Great outdoors is great escape in pandemicon March 25, 2021 at 1:47 am

Call of the wild: Great outdoors is great escape in pandemic

For those venturing off the beaten path, be advised — it’s a little crowded out there.

By nature’s standards, anyway, as the great outdoors has become the great escape.

Hiking trails, parks and other open spaces were packed in 2020 with a cooped-up population searching for fresh air during the coronavirus pandemic. Locked down, shut in or just fearful of crowds, people took up hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping, tennis and golf — to name several — in significant numbers.

“It’s both heartening and a little bit mind-blowing to think how things are going this year,” said Richard Hodges, the Nordic director at White Pine Touring in Park City, Utah. “It’s been really fun — a lot of work, but really fun. All we’re doing is trying to get people outside to go play in the snow.”

Outdoor enthusiasts are certainly stepping outside to play in whatever environment — when pandemic restrictions permit it, of course, and in accordance with stay-at-home guidelines. But the numbers illustrate that many are heeding the call to the wild:

— 8.1 million more Americans went hiking in 2020 compared to ’19, according to a report from the Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic wing of the Outdoor Industry Association.

— 7.9 million more went camping last year.

— 3.4 million more participated in freshwater fishing.

The foundation’s research also reflected a decline in inactivity for most age groups and across all income levels. There was a 52.9% surge in outdoor participation, an increase from 50.5% in 2018 and 50.7% in 2019.

The upward trend in hiking doesn’t come as a surprise to Sandra Marra, the president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

From nearly day one of the pandemic, a myriad of hikers have been trekking along the Appalachian Trail, which encompasses about 2,200 miles (3,540.6 kilometers), traverses through 14 states and sees about 3 million-plus visitors a year.

Word of caution before going: Check the weather reports and dress accordingly. And don’t park on someone’s property, even if the trailhead lots are full.

“What’s happened is a whole bunch of people that never really recreated outdoors like this, suddenly discovered the fact there are these easily accessible trails not that far from their backyard,” Marra explained. “That’s wonderful. But we’re finding a lot of people are out there not prepared for just how rugged this trail is. It’s not a walk on the bike trail in the middle of the city.”

Daily walks — “constitutionals” in another era, perhaps — are on a rapid rise, too. No numbers needed to reflect that — just meander down any block or street in any city or any country.

In New York City, when the weather is good, people are out in droves — conjuring images of Edith Wharton characters strolling the promenade. It just so happens there is an Edith Wharton Walking Tour in New York. For now, it’s limited to an online stroll through the Gilded Age.

Golf remains on the upswing, too, according to an engagement study by the National Golf Foundation. There were almost 502 million rounds, which was the most since 2006 and the biggest yearly increase since 1997 — the season Tiger Woods captured his first major championship. The number of active, on-course golfers in the U.S. grew by half a million in 2020, the study found, up to 24.8 million.

The sport also grew by double digits around the world. Golf Australia said participation has increased by up to 15% since the lockdowns went into effect, with golf memberships up by 30% in the 24 to 39 age group.

Already popular in Sweden, the number of rounds increased a whopping 42%. And the first 18-hole course open to the public in Spain, Golf Olivar de la Hinojosa, saw an increase of 30% in the number of rounds played. Gregorio Gonzalez-Irun Velasco, the general director of a company that oversees Golf Olivar and another golf course in the Madrid community, said golf schools and driving ranges have been operating near capacity for some time.

Tennis courts were popular as well with nearly three million first-time players, according to data cited by the United States Tennis Association through the Physical Activity Council’s Participation report. In all, more than 21.6 million Americans took the courts in 2020.

“It’s evident that many people recognize tennis as the ideal social-distancing sport,” USTA CEO Mike Dowse said in a story on the tennis association’s website.

Tennis is not alone. Hiking, anyone?

“This is the new future for us. The new reality,” Marra said. “There’s huge opportunity to build a whole new generation of land stewards.”

AP Sports Writers Dennis Passa, Steve Douglas, Samuel Petrequin and James Ellingworth contributed to this report.

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Call of the wild: Great outdoors is great escape in pandemicon March 25, 2021 at 1:47 am Read More »

Grocery store worker narrowly escaped gunman’s noticeon March 24, 2021 at 10:51 pm

BOULDER, Colo. — An employee of the Colorado supermarket where a gunman killed 10 people watched as the assailant opened fire and narrowly escaped his notice while joining with other bystanders in a desperate scramble to get away.

Emily Giffen, 27, was smoking outside the store Monday during a break when she heard multiple loud pops that she knew were not fireworks. She said she saw a man running across an intersection suddenly fall over and another man approach him in a crouch and fire several rounds at close range.

“I don’t know how he didn’t see us,” she said of the suspect, who walked right by her before she ran into the King Soopers store and out the back. Newly fallen snow made people trip and slip as they tried to escape, she said, showing a large bruise on her arm that she said happened when someone stepped on her.

“I just really am having a hard time understanding why me and my friends deserve to die,” she said, wondering why the gunman chose to target the Boulder store specifically. “It doesn’t seem personal, so I don’t quite get why we pulled that lottery ticket.”

Giffen made the comments Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press as families mourned the dead and multiple law enforcement agencies pressed ahead with what they said would be a monthslong investigation. They revealed no new details but said a statement would be issued later in the day.

The 21-year-old suspect, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, was in jail and scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday on murder charges. No lawyer was listed for Alissa in court records.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people paid their respects at a growing makeshift memorial near the supermarket, adorning it with wreaths, candles, banners reading “#Boulderstrong” and 10 crosses with blue hearts and the victims’ names.

Several community vigils were planned to honor the victims. The Boulder Police Department invited the public to show support for Officer Eric Talley, who was killed, by witnessing a police procession Wednesday as his body was taken from the coroner’s office to a funeral home in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

Red and blue lights flashed along a parkway as dozens of officers from Boulder and neighboring departments stood at attention. When the hearse passed, the officers saluted as one shouted, “Attention!” One person held an American flag.

Talley, 51, was the first officer to arrive at the scene. He had seven children, ages 7 to 20.

The other victims were Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jodi Waters, 65.

Olds, Leiker and Stong worked at the supermarket.

Kim Cordova, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents more than 30 store employees, said they did their best to get customers to safety.

“They grabbed everybody they could, and they brought them to the backroom or to other areas of the store to hide, or got them out through the back dock,” Cordova said.

On Facebook posts and in an interview, Giffen said her friends deserved better, not to die at work while doing their jobs.

“This guy, he went hunting in a barrel full of fish. Nobody was prepared to fight back. No one was even prepared to hide,” she said. “It’s just the fear like, where do you, where do I ever feel safe?”

Giffen, who said she has worked at the King Soopers for three years, described a close-knit community where she chats with customers and remembers their bagel orders from when she worked at a nearby bagel place.

On the neighborhood-based social media app Nextdoor, Giffen watched as people asked about her co-workers by name, listing them one by one to find out if they were all right.

“It was so beautiful to see all of these people who live right here with me actually acknowledge individual people’s names,” she said. “They don’t just know us as their employees. We’re a part of their community.”

The attack was the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since a 2019 assault on a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, where a gunman killed 22 people. It was also the seventh mass killing this year in the U.S., following the March 16 shooting that left eight people dead at three Atlanta-area massage businesses, according to a database compiled by the AP, USA Today and Northeastern University.

It follows a lull in mass killings last year during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Colorado suspect bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol — which resembles an AR-15 rifle with a slightly shorter stock — on March 16, six days before the attack, according to an arrest affidavit.

Authorities have not disclosed where the gun was purchased.

According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

An AR-15-style gun was recovered inside the supermarket and was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The law enforcement official said the suspect’s family told investigators that he had delusions and that they believed he had some type of mental illness. The relatives described times when Alissa told them people were following or chasing him, which they said may have contributed to the violence, the official said.

___

Beaty reported from New York. Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo and Colleen Long in Washington, Jim Anderson in Denver and AP staff members from around the U.S. contributed to this report. Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

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Grocery store worker narrowly escaped gunman’s noticeon March 24, 2021 at 10:51 pm Read More »