Mom-and-Dad Bludgeoning / Special French Baby / Flag-Burning Lawsuit / Vicious Bed Bugs and Scars

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Teen on Trial for Beating Mom and Dad to Death Claims Rival Drug Dealer Named 'Momo' Killed His Parents

Jurors watched 17-year-old John Granat's story change over and over again as he was interrogated in his parents' double murder, first claiming that a rival weed dealer named "Momo" killed the couple in their Palos home. Then he tried to pin the crime on his 19-year-old friend.
ALSO:

• Teen Groomed Friends to Help with Gruesome Murder of Parents: Prosecutors: Officer testifies the ceiling was "dripping with blood" after the 17-year-old and his friends bludgeoned the wealthy couple.
• 'I Can't Get Their Screams Out of My Head': Ex-girlfriend testifies in court that accused killer-boyfriend Chris Wyma was "acting a little weird" morning after Granat murders.

Surrogate Delivers Geneva's First Baby of New Year for Gay Couple

A suburban woman became the first to give birth at a local hospital on New Year's Day, serving as a surrogate for a same-sex couple from France.

Flag-Burner Fights Back With Federal Lawsuit

Photos depicting an Urbana man burning an American flag stirred the wrath of the internet. He's suing to prove his flag burning is protected free speech.

Bed Bugs at Hotel Left Man Physically, Mentally Scarred: Lawsuit

An Ohio man said he suffered 130 painful, bleeding bites in two separate hotel rooms at a Chicago Marriott hotel.

A Sweet Story: Kindness at a Krispy Kreme's Grand Opening

Around 200 people waited outside to be among the first in line at a new Krispy Kreme as the doughnut chain returned to the Chicago area -- but one man was more excited than most.

Dairy Queen Closes Illinois Shop After Owner ‘Proudly Admitted’ Racial Slur

The man later backtracked but wound up issuing an apology before the company closed the fast-food restaurant.

Cubs to Visit the White House on Monday

It's fitting that one of President Barack Obama's final acts in office will have strong Chicago ties. Even if he is a White Sox fan.

'No Dark Secrets' - Father of Children Killed in Murder/Suicide Speaks Out

The father of two children who police police believe were killed by their mother in a murder/suicide spoke out, saying there were "no dark secrets" in the family and that the recently split couple was working together to co-parent their son and daughter.

Family Desperate to Find Dog Missing Since Burglary

Charlie the dachshund hasn't been seen since the family's home was burglarized on Jan. 9. "The unknown of where he is makes me sick," the homeowner said in a plea to the thief she believes stole her beloved pet. "I just want him home safe."

Community Rallies to Save Beloved Catholic School

St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick in Lemont was in a precarious position regarding its future. They were told to raise $350,000 by the end of February.

Exec Behind Playboy Bunny, Nightclubs Dies at 88

Victor Lownes, the Playboy marketing executive who helped build the magazine's chain of nightclubs and create the bunny-style look of their hostesses, died Wednesday.

These Jobs Have the Best Prospects in Illinois

Looking for a new profession? Lists reveal best jobs overall, best jobs nationwide.

» ACROSS ILLINOIS

Mom Punched Feeble 11-Year-Old Daughter in Stomach and Killed Her

Now she could go to prison. A Lake County judge will decide the fate of of Nicholette Lawrence, whose punch to the stomach of her 11-year-old daughter proved fatal.

Intoxicated Intruder Sexually Abused Sleeping Child: Cops

Adults found the man in their child's room at around 4 a.m. and threw him out, but he wasn't arrested until a neighbor called the police.

U.S. Pizza Museum Will Come to Suburban Library Next Month

Pizza artifacts will take center stage in the Franklin Gallery in Niles for two months.

Hot Wings, Hot Tempers: Argument Leads to Hooters Parking Lot Shootout

An argument between two groups of men reportedly led to an exchange of gunfire outside an Oak Lawn restaurant.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2017: How Is Chicago Honoring the Holiday?

Check out some of the events and activities Monday celebrating the civil rights leader.

Watch It Again: Department of Justice Finds 'Pattern of Civil Rights Violations' By Chicago Police

Findings: CPD "engages in a pattern or practice of using force, including deadly force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment."

Veteran Chicago Cop Accused of Having 'Sexual Relationship' With Underage Girl: Prosecutors

The 51-year-old officer was arrested at his home and charged with criminal sexual assault over the weekend.

Cubs Want to Share Wrigley Field With Northwestern Football Team

The club also wants to host some of Northwestern's Big Ten games at the ballpark, beginning in 2020.

Prison Break: Joliet Firefighters Use Sledgehammer to Free Teen Locked in Cell at Abandoned Prison

A pair of teenage girls decided to sneak into the old Collins Street prison.

New Trier Grad Leads Barack Obama’s Transition Team

Anita Decker Breckenridge will also be Obama's chief of staff after he leaves office.

Sex-Picture Science Teacher Locked Up: Cops

A high school science teacher wanted for allegedly posting a “sex image” of an ex-girlfriend online was locked up Monday afternoon.

Veterans Memorial Wall Vandalized

The latest site to be hit by graffiti in one Chicago suburb is a veterans memorial wall, causing outcry among residents and prompting a reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Football Coach, Athletic Director Resign Amid Locker Room Hazing Scandal

The head coach, coaching assistant and AD have all stepped down after hazing allegations at a suburban high school. Heavily redacted police reports do not say what exactly happened in the locker room.

'I, Witness' TV Show to Feature Riley Fox Case

A new Investigation Discovery true crime show will feature the 2004 murder of 3-year-old Riley Fox.

» WOW! HOUSES

• Five Bedrooms, Two Fireplaces, One Jacuzzi for $629K in Tinley Park: Plenty of space to entertain, too!
• Wow! House: Stunning Great Room, Giant Fireplace, Plenty of Room for the In-Laws: Crystal Tree mansion sits on lot overlooking 16th hole. Six bedrooms, walk-in closets, and more.
• 15-Room Estate With Pool, Balconies in Northbrook: This home on Sunset Trail - once dubbed 'Home of the Year' - is on the market for less than $2 million.
• Soundproof Walls and Indoor Pool in Skokie: Fairview Lane home on the market is one of the most luxurious in the village.

» ALSO WORTH A LOOK

• Cops Tackle Northwestern Grad Student in Dash Cam Video
• Officer's Snowmobile Goes Through the Ice
• Former Home of Steve Kerr Sells in Lake Forest
• Showtime Picks Up Series Set on South Side of Chicago
• Woman, Ex Staged Home Invasion and Killed Husband's Dog: Sheriff
• Funds Pour in For Lake Co. Family After Teen Loses Battle With Cancer
• Man Arrested in O’Hare Security Breach, Attack on Officers: Police
• Lincolnwood Man Who Owned Wrigley Rooftop Sentenced for Defrauding Cubs
• Suicide Likely in Death of Metra Shootout Suspect
• Mayors Want to Meet with Officials to Talk About Possible Caterpillar Closing
• Craigslist Buyer Pulls Knife on Seller, Steals Computer
• Sex Offender Charged with Threatening Governor, Sheriff
• Prison Break: Firefighters Rescue Teen Locked in Cell at Abandoned Prison
• Congressman's Staff Member Found Dead in Her Home
• Baby Rat For a $5 Donation? You Came to the Right Place
• Mayors Formally Reject 'Political Stunt' Effort to Annex into Naperville
• Store Clerk Throws Chair at Knife-Wielding Robbers
• Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Disgraced Cop's Widow
• Trump Supporter Pleads Guilty to Disrupting Performance of 'Hamilton'
• Woman Shot, 11-Year-Old Injured in North Aurora Drive-By Shooting

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