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Roland Schmidt, 76, from Stillman Valley, Illinois, accused of fatally shooting his daughter-in-law Christine Moyer, 45, outside the Schaumburg Marriott on July 25, 2025, following a family wedding, died in custody on February 3, 2026. Prosecutors alleged Schmidt, upset over divorce papers Moyer filed against his son, followed her to the parking lot and shot her execution-style in the head in front of family members; a bystander subdued him until police arrived. Charged with first-degree murder and detained pretrial, Schmidt’s death from cancer closes the case without a trial.

Veteran prosecutor Donald T. Kinsella, 79, was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for New York’s Northern District by federal judges on February 11, 2026, to replace a Trump interim appointee ruled unlawful, but received a White House termination email hours later. Deputy AG Todd Blanche announced the firing on social media, stating “Judges don’t pick U.S. Attorneys, @POTUS does. See Article II,” amid tensions over presidential appointment powers. Kinsella, a former chief of the district’s criminal division with over 50 years experience, plans to consult judges on next steps as Democrats like Sen. Schumer decry political interference.

Around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Chicago police responded to a call in the 4500 block of South Albany Avenue in the Brighton Park neighborhood, finding a 70-year-old man shot in the head and a 43-year-old woman shot in the face, both pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified them as Harry Kilpatrick and Ann Kilpatrick. Area One detectives have launched a death investigation, with no circumstances, motive, or suspects released as the probe continues.

The U.S. government is intensifying efforts to revoke passports from parents with substantial unpaid child support, starting with those owing more than $100,000.This initial phase impacts fewer than 500 individuals nationwide, who can retain or regain their passports by entering a payment plan promptly.The policy aims to enforce child support obligations more effectively, limiting international travel until debts are addressed.

The U.S. ice dance team finished a razor-thin second in the rhythm dance with 89.72 points, trailing France’s Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron by just 0.46 points. They are set to perform their flamenco free dance tonight. Married since 2024, the power duo previously won team event golds at the 2022 and 2026 Olympics and now aims for their first individual Olympic gold.

A freight train derailment occurred early on February 11, 2026, near Ridgeland and Central Avenues in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, blocking tracks and halting all Metra SouthWest Service trains to and from Chicago Union Station through mid-afternoon, canceling inbound trains 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 816 and outbound 801, 803, 805, 807, 809. No injuries or hazardous materials were involved, but the incident led to road closures on Central Avenue between 103rd and 111th Streets and Ridgeland Avenue nearby, prompting commuters to seek alternate routes like Rock Island or Heritage Corridor lines. Crews from CSX and emergency responders worked…

Around 3:50 a.m. on February 11, 2026, two armed suspects approached a parked vehicle in the 700 block of West Waveland Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, demanding the car from a 22-year-old man and a 38-year-old inside. The suspects opened fire, striking the younger man in the chest and back; he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he died, while the 38-year-old was uninjured. The suspects fled in the stolen vehicle, and Area 3 detectives are investigating.

Nearly two dozen Democratic governors, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, announced a boycott of a White House dinner hosted by President Donald Trump during the National Governors Association’s February 19-21, 2026, gathering in Washington, D.C., after Trump disinvited Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (NGA vice chair) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. The 18 governors issued a joint statement criticizing the move as fostering “chaos and division,” vowing not to attend if the event deviates from its bipartisan tradition. In response, the NGA canceled its formal meeting with the president, highlighting escalating tensions between Democratic state leaders and the administration.

A man from the Chicago area believed he had found genuine romance through an online relationship, but it was an elaborate AI-driven scam that defrauded him of approximately $70,000, leaving him in significant long-term debt . The scammers used artificial intelligence to create convincing interactions, mimicking real emotional connections to build trust over time. This incident underscores the growing threat of AI-enhanced romance frauds targeting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship .

A federal judge ordered the release of body-camera footage, text messages, photos, and other evidence related to the October 4, 2025, shooting of Chicago resident Marimar Martinez by U.S. Border Patrol agent Charles Exum during Operation Midway Blitz near 39th Street and Kedzie Avenue. Martinez, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot five times after allegedly following and colliding with agents’ vehicles; federal charges against her for assaulting officers were dropped in November 2025 amid doubts about the government’s narrative. The footage shows agents with weapons drawn before the collision, with Exum jerking the wheel, exiting, and firing; texts from Exum…