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Family of teen pinned by off-duty police sergeant speaks out

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(PARK RIDGE, Ill.) — The family of a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly pinned down by an off-duty Chicago Police officer in Park Ridge, Illinois, is speaking about the incident that was caught on cellphone camera.

“We see the bias in an off-duty officer taking advantage of our brown boy, with afro hair, smaller in stature, choosing to take the law into his own hands with physical force — a clear abuse of his position of authority — the authority meant to PROTECT my son, not harm him,” Angel and Nicole Nieves, parents of the boy, said in a press release sent to ABC News.

On the afternoon of July 1, a man who Park Ridge police have identified as a CPD sergeant in the video put his knee on the teen’s back for about 15 seconds, according to cellphone footage taken by a friend of the teen. It is unclear what happened before the video was captured on camera but the family’s legal team says the teen was just trying to move the bike out of his way.

Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski told ABC News that the officer believed the teen had stolen his son’s bike. The bike was apparently stolen from a local library before the incident, according to police.

Kaminski confirmed that the teen had a bike of his own. He also said that officials now have images of the person who did steal the bike, saying that it was likely abandoned by the culprit where the incident between the teen and officer occurred.

The Nieves’ legal team said that the teen had touched the bike because it was on the sidewalk and he was trying to pass by it with his own bike.

The family’s legal team also said the teen will remain unnamed. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, a national personal injury firm primarily based in Chicago, is representing the family for any potential litigation.

The teen’s friends kept telling the officer to get off the boy and helped him up from the ground, according to the footage.

Chicago Police told ABC News that there is an internal investigation concerning the incident and officials cannot comment further. The officer’s name has not been released. The police union has not responded to ABC News’ requests for comment.

The boy’s parents are calling for accountability from the officer, including releasing the officer’s name and filing criminal charges for his conduct involving a child.

The Nieves family says their son is a straight-A student, a three-sport athlete and is active in his church youth ministry.

“It’s ironic that the type of person we are raising our boys to be — thoughtful, respectful young men who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger — is the opposite of the example this Chicago police officer set,” they said.

According to WLS, the Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability is also investigating the incident. The Park Ridge police are also investigating alongside the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, according to WLS.

Neither agency has responded to ABC News’ requests for comment.

“The off-duty officer used excessive force on a child and escalated the situation where this type of aggression was clearly not necessary,” said Bhavani K. Raveendran, an attorney at Romanucci & Blandin.

Nurse who received 1st COVID-19 vaccine in the US awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Following months of hardships and devastating losses in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandra Lindsay, an intensive care nurse in New York, became a symbol of hope for people across the globe when she became the first person in the United States to receive a COVID-19 vaccine following emergency authorization from federal officials.

Seemingly overnight, Lindsay, who got the shot in December of 2020, became a prominent vaccine advocate, urging others to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and help curb the virus’s spread.

In light of her advocacy, Lindsay was one of seventeen recipients to be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden on Thursday.

“I’m honored to hold this place in history,” Lindsay told ABC News prior to the ceremony.

In the hours following her vaccination, the image of Lindsay receiving her shot circulated rapidly across the country, as millions celebrated it as a symbolic light at the end of the tunnel after the pandemic had forced families apart.

The Americans honored with the medal “demonstrate the power of possibilities and embody the soul of the nation – hard work, perseverance, and faith,” according to a press release from the White House “[and] have overcome significant obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments in the arts and sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities – and across the world – while blazing trails for generations to come.”

“Sandra, as I told you before, if there’s any angels in heaven, they’re all nurses,” Biden said during the ceremony.

A citation read prior to the presentation of Lindsay’s award noted that at the height of the pandemic, she directed a team of nurses as they worked “tirelessly to save patients while risking their own lives.” When the COVID-19 vaccine was authorized, Lindsay was a “ray of light and our nation’s dark power.”

“She represents the best of America,” the citation said.

Lindsay was honored alongside other Presidential Medal of Honor recipients, including former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Khizr Khan, a Gold Star father and founder of the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Center, and actor Denzel Washington.

Last month, Lindsay initially missed the call from the White House informing her of the award, believing it was a prank call. When she learned that the honor was real, Lindsay said she was “overwhelmed” with emotions.

“I was just overwhelmed with pride, joy, gratitude and just immediately thought about what that meant for others, for people who look like me — for young ladies, for black women, for immigrants, for Jamaicans, for Americans, nurses, health care workers, minorities,” Lindsay said.

Lindsay, who works as the director of patient care services in critical care at Northwell Health, said was met with an incredibly positive public reaction following her vaccine, with some people telling her they were inspired to get the shot because of her.

For Lindsay, who was raised in Jamaica by her grandparents and moved to the United States in 1986, the honor is beyond anything she could have imagined.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be in this position. But I said yes. I said yes not knowing what I was getting into, but knowing that it was the right thing to do, and here I am today, so anything is possible,” Lindsay said.

With 70 million eligible Americans still unvaccinated, Lindsay stressed that her advocacy work is not done.

“We have made significant strides, but [COVID-19] is still here, and it still poses a threat to you, if you are not protected. I encourage everyone to go get themselves vaccinated,” Lindsay said. “If you’re not vaccinated, you’re still not protected.”

Joey Bada$$ shares new tribute song, reveals upcoming album date

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

New York rapper Joey Bada$$ released his latest single, “Survivor’s Guilt,” in honor of the life and musical legacy of the late Brooklyn rapper Capital Steez. To commemorate his close friend’s birthday, Joey dropped the record on what would have been Steez’s 29th birthday Thursday.

Steez, born Courtney “Jamal” Dewar Jr., died by suicide when he was 19, according to Complex. On the new track, the 27-year-old emcee opens up about the impact of his friend’s death and describes feeling at fault for the untimely passing.

“Steezy told me get ’em so I got em. Now my n***a gone, he will never be forgotten / Ever since he left I’ve just been struggling without him,” he raps. “Yeah, we had some problems, but what brothers don’t? Sure. Then I caught a little wave and headed back to shore / And that’s when he started drowning. And he had no one around him so partially I feel it’s my fault.”

Speaking of the emotional track, Joey says, “This song is by far the most heartfelt song I’ve ever made and it felt incredibly therapeutic finally being able to put my thoughts and sentiments into words.”

“Survivor’s Guilt” arrives 10 years after his 1999 mixtape and ahead of his forthcoming album, 2000, which is expected July 22. Joey celebrates the milestone project with his 1999-2000 North American tour with help from New York artist Capella Grey.

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1- 800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Derek Chauvin sentenced to 21 years on federal charges for violating George Floyd’s civil rights

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(St. PAUL, Minn.) — Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 21 years in prison on federal civil rights charges Thursday in the death of George Floyd.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges but in December 2021, he pleaded guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights and admitted that he kept his knee on Floyd’s neck even after he became unresponsive.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson made the final decision.

In April 2021, Chauvin was also found guilty on three counts in Floyd’s death — second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter — for pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes.

He has already been sentenced to 270 months, minus time served, which equals about 22-and-a-half years in prison.

Former officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao were also charged for their role in Floyd’s death.

The three of them had pleaded not guilty but were convicted by a jury.

The four former officers were attempting to place Floyd under arrest on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes at a convenience store.

During the encounter, Chauvin held his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes. Floyd, who was handcuffed and in a prone position on the pavement, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe before falling unconscious and losing a pulse, according to evidence presented at Chauvin’s state trial. Floyd was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Thao and Kueng now await a state trial for charges of aiding and abetting in murder and aiding and abetting in manslaughter in Floyd’s death. The two have pleaded not guilty.

The trial is set to start on Oct. 24.

Thomas Lane pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in exchange for the dismissal of the top charge against him of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder.

Under the agreement, a sentence of 36 months, or three years in prison, will be recommended by both prosecutors and Lane’s legal team. If he went to trial and was convicted on both counts, he could have faced a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, according to the plea agreement.

Sam Hunt shares a first peek at his baby daughter, Lucy, in a family video montage

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Sam Hunt took fans into his home life with the minute-long family video he posted to social media this week. The clip includes lots of shots of the singer’s extended family and even a few glimpses of his infant daughter, Lucy.

Lucy makes her appearance a little over halfway through the clip, with a shot of an older child cradling her on the couch. “Do you like holding the fish or the baby better?” Sam asks from behind the camera. “The baby,” the little girl replies.

In a second shot, another child is holding baby Lucy, who wears a light-colored onesie, blanket and matching bow for the occasion.

It’s adorable, kid-filled chaos for the country star and his family and marks the first time fans have seen Lucy since she was born a few weeks ago. Sam and his wife, Hannah Lee Fowler, have been relatively private about the new addition to their family on social media, but Sam announced the birth of his baby girl at a show in early June.

Sam’s marriage went through a tumultuous time leading up to the birth of his daughter: Hannah Lee filed for divorce back in February, citing “inappropriate marital conduct” and “adultery.” Just weeks before Lucy’s birth, the couple seemed to reconcile, and Hannah called off divorce proceedings.

Back home, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles have the biggest album, single of the year

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles are doing very well back home in Merrie Olde England.

Ed’s album = (Equals) is the biggest-selling album of the year so far in the U.K., while Harry’s single “As It Was” is the year’s biggest-selling single, according to Britain’s Official Charts Company.

Equals has sold 256,000 units so far this year; since its release in October, it’s sold 689,000 copies in total. It’s also the most downloaded and streamed album of the year. Harry’s album Harry’s House is the second biggest album of 2022 in the U.K., with sales of 244,000, which means it could end up passing Ed in the near future. Olivia Rodrigo‘s album SOUR is #3, and Adele‘s 30 is #4.

On the singles side, Harry’s monster hit “As It Was” is the year’s top-selling single, having racked up sales of more than 855,000 units while spending 10 weeks at #1 on the British charts.

But in a mirror image of the album chart, Ed’s at #2 with “Peru,” his single with Afrobeats singer Fireboy DML. Ed also has the #4 and #6 biggest-selling songs of the year with “Bad Habits” and “Shivers,” respectively. Encanto‘s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is #3.

Feel the “Thunder”: Imagine Dragons becomes first band with four Diamond-certified singles

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Imagine Dragons is bringing the “Thunder” to the RIAA record books.

The band’s 2017 hit has gone Diamond in recognition of 10 million units certified. “Thunder” joins “Radioactive,” “Believer” and “Demons” as the fourth ID single to achieve that feat, making Imagine Dragons the first band with four Diamond-certified singles.

“Thunder” is included on Imagine Dragons’ 2017 album, Evolve. Its video has over 1 billion views on YouTube.

Imagine Dragons has already been having a big week with the release of the new album Mercury — Acts 1 & 2 last Friday. The double record combines last September’s Mercury — Act 1 with 18 more new songs, including the single “Bones.”

Following their current run through Europe, Imagine Dragons will return to the U.S. for a headlining tour beginning in August.

‘Thor’ battle “sisters” Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson go viral with ‘Clueless’ tribute photo

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson had a little throwback fun during a Thor: Love and Thunder press day Wednesday by channeling, respectively, Clueless characters Cher Horowitz and Dionne Davenport.

Portman perfectly matched Alicia Silverstone‘s character with a yellow plaid Dior miniskirt and matching blazer, over a black crop top and black Doc Martens boots; Thompson wore a black pleated dress and matching black stockings, her long hair braided like Dionne’s in the 1995 film.

“Having a clueless…moment…” Portman captioned an Instagram post, earning a comment and a repost from Cher herself, Silverstone. “Stunning. You both look amazing,” she gushed.

In the Thor sequel, Portman reprises as Dr. Jane Foster, who in this film gets to become Mighty Thor. Not all of her transformation was via special effects, her co-stars joked. “Some weightlifting?!” Chris Hemsworth joked at a recent press event. “Natalie led the charge in the gym, and [we] tried to keep up with her.”

Portman called the compliment “very sweet,” noting, “I was especially grateful to everyone’s imagination to cast a 5-foot-3 actor in a 6-foot role. I think that takes a real leap of possibility in your mind, and probably not something I will, you know, get the opportunity to do to be imagined as by any other group.”

Thompson’s Valkyrie goes through some changes herself, from a warrior to the King of Asgard — and all the meetings that entails. “She … was a professional soldier for thousands of years and now finds herself kind of stuck in bureaucracy. So she’s really missing being on the battlefield and missing her sisters. And so it’s been great fun to get to have that again with Natalie in particular as Mighty Thor.”

Thor: Love and Thunder opens Friday from Marvel Studios, a division of ABC News.

Jenifer Lewis to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Jenifer Lewis, Black cinema’s favorite auntie — or mom, depending on the role — will soon be getting her flowers from Hollywood as the 65-year-old actress is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The dedication ceremony of the 2,726th star will take place Friday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. PT, with special guest speakers Debbie Allen and Marc Shaiman. The ceremony will be streamed live on Walkoffame.com.

“Jenifer Lewis is considered a national treasure and a force to be reckoned with,” Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, said. “She is one of those performers who always keeps the audience on their toes! I placed Jenifer’s star next to one of her all-time favorite actresses, the legendary Katharine Hepburn. Those ladies are two peas in a pod, as both delved in human rights activities and are known to be as feisty as all get out!”

Over the course of her decades-long entertainment career, Lewis has appeared and starred in more than 400 episodic television shows, 68 movies, 40 animations and four Broadway shows. Some of her most notable credits includes The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, A Different World, Girlfriends, Think Like a Man, The Cookout, Baggage Claim and Five.

Lewis has been recognized for her philanthropic and charitable contributions, including most recently by The International Press Academy in April. She received the 2022 Honorary Satellite Award for her work with The Human Rights Campaign, The Los Angeles LGBT Center, The Coalition for At-Risk Youth, The Urban League and others.

Following her bestselling 2017 memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, Lewis’ follow up book, Walking in My Joy: In These Streets, is set for release on August 30.

Former Theranos executive Sunny Balwani convicted in federal fraud case

July 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — A jury has convicted former Theranos president Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani of defrauding investors and patients in connection with his multi-billion-dollar blood-testing startup.

Balwani, on Thursday, was found guilty on all 12 counts of fraud, for a scheme prosecutors alleged and have now proved he orchestrated alongside his former romantic partner and Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes.

Balwani faced 10 counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Holmes, who faced the same charges as Balwani, was convicted on four counts of fraud in January and awaits sentencing in September.

While Holmes was only convicted on counts related to investors, a jury found Balwani also defrauded patients.

The feds originally charged Balwani and Holmes together. But their trials were later severed after Holmes revealed she may testify to abuse at the hands of Balwani.

Prosecutors said Balwani and Holmes, who touted her startup’s technology as capable of accurately and reliably running any blood test, fraudulently raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors.

Money poured in, but the miniature blood-testing device, dubbed the “Edison,” could never run more than 12 tests, government attorneys said.

Balwani joined the company in 2009, guaranteeing a $10 million loan and quickly rising to the post of president and COO of Theranos. While his attorneys sought to distinguish his position in the company from the CEO, Holmes, prosecutors say he played an equal role in the fraud.

“I am responsible for everything at Theranos. All have been my decisions too,” read a text message from Balwani to Holmes in July 2015, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Schenk presented to the jury in his final argument.

“Of course [Balwani] had a hand in making the decisions at Theranos,” defense attorney Jeff Coopersmith said during his closing argument.

But, Coopersmith, said in meetings with investors and others, “everyone was listening to Elizabeth Holmes.” The company was her vision, he added, and Balwani had bought in.

“Mr. Balwani is not a victim. He’s a perpetrator of the fraud,” the prosecutor, Schenk, said to wrap up his remarks.

Wayne Kaatz, a juror on the Holmes case, told ABC News in an exclusive interview earlier this year that his group of 12 jurors convicted Holmes, in part, because “everything went through her,” he said. “She had final approval.”

He also revealed his team found Holmes’ testimony largely not credible. Balwani, in his trial, did not take the stand.

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