Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Thursday, April 28, 2016.
- Weather: The cold and rain continues
It’s going to be a dreary late April day, with a high of 47 and a low of 42 expected. It’s likely there will be rain off and on all day. [AccuWeather]
- Hastert sentencing hearing reveals bombshell identity of “Individual D”
Former U.S. House speaker Dennis Hastert was sentenced Wednesday to 15 months in prison by U.S. District judge Thomas Durkin, who termed the politician a “serial child molester.” Not only did Hastert confess to the sexual abuse, but there was a mind-blowing revelation during the hearing. The accuser, previously known as “Individual D,” is Scott Cross, the brother of former state representative and Illinois House minority leader Tom Cross. Hastert mentored his fellow Republican leader, who was unaware of the abuse his brother had suffered until recently. The former speaker had even asked Tom Cross for a letter of support. [Tribune]
- What will happen if the Chicago Teachers Union strikes before end of semester?
Chicago Public Schools students might miss finals but will still graduate if CTU decides to strike before school ends in June. District officials are putting together a contingency plan, according to CPS CEO Forrest Claypool. They’re still bargaining with the union, but a strike could happen as early as late May. [Sun-Times]
- Female reporters take on online harassment in #MoreThanMean video
Two Chicago-based female sports reporters, Julie DiCaro and Sarah Spain, have faced constant and vicious social media harassment. (They’re not alone, of course—online harassment is something countless women face, whether they’re public or private individuals.) In the spirit of Jimmy Kimmel’s “Mean Tweets” videos, DiCaro and Spain recruited men to read some of the horrible tweets they’ve received, such as “One of the players should beat you to death with their hockey stick.” The video they made of the readings has struck a chord nationally and has so far been viewed more than a million times. [Chicago magazine]
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Business owner says West Town “yuppies” killed his dollar store
V.G. Dollar Market has had a presence in the East Village neighborhood near Chicago and Damen Avenues for 20 years. But the rapidly changing demographics of the area have diminished demand, according to its owner. “Now it’s only white people,” Armando Carreno told DNAinfo Chicago, “but no matter the color, yuppies don’t buy here. Here, you see only bars. I’m very sad [to close] but I have no choice.” [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Family of Belmont Cragin boy with incurable cancer asks the public to send cards for his sixth birthday
If you want to do a good deed, here’s your chance. Lucas “Bear” Cervone has been bravely battling terminal cancer for more than three years. His sixth birthday is coming up in early May, and his family is asking the public to send him cards so that he knows that people care. [NBC Chicago] [DNAinfo Chicago]