'Get the he-- out of the country:' Mike Ditka slams NFL players who kneel during the national anthem

CHICAGO -- Mike Ditka has repeatedly voiced his dismay over NFL players kneeling during the “Start-Spangled Banner."Now that he’s the chairman of X League, a new women’s football organization, the legendary coach said he wouldn’t want his league's players to take a knee during the national anthem either.The NFL Hall of Famer reiterated his disdain for the gesture during an interview with TMZ Sports where he said those who can’t respect the national anthem can “get the he-- out of the country.”“That’s the way I feel,” Ditka said. “Of course, I’m old fashioned, so I’m only going to say what I feel.”During the 2016 season, Colin Kaepernick popularized kneeling during the anthem as a way to protest police brutality and social injustices that often affect Black people.The gesture was initially condemned by many as being disrespectful to the American flag, the anthem and military — which is the defense Ditka referenced.“You don’t protest against the flag and you don’t protest against this country who’s given you the opportunities to make a living playing a sport that you never thought would happen.

Bears cancel season ticket packages due to COVID-19 pandemic

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears canceled season ticket packages on Friday because they’re not sure how many fans — if any — will be allowed at Soldier Field due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Team President Ted Phillips cited “a need to reduce the seating capacity to build a plan that allows for social distancing” in a letter to season ticket holders.

Police: 15 shot as gunfire erupts outside Chicago funeral home

Fifteen people were shot, one person was being questioned and multiple suspects were being sought after gunfire erupted outside a funeral home on Chicago’s South Side as the federal government moved forward on plans to deploy more agents to the city where violence is spiking.

Armed kids as young as 10 carjacked teacher, more than a dozen others since June in Chicago

CHICAGO -- Alyssa Blanchard was so traumatized after being carjacked at gunpoint last week outside her Chicago home that she’s now scared to go outside.Chicago police say a group of children, ages 10 to 17, carjacked Blanchard and at least 15 other people since late June — wreaking havoc on Blanchard’s generally peaceful South Side neighborhood.Police said shots were fired by the suspects in two of the carjackings, but no one was hit.“I’m scared to use my garage.

Chicago man held without bail on charges he shot 5-month-old in a stroller, 2 other people

CHICAGO -- A Chicago man was ordered held without bail Sunday, July 19 on charges he shot three people in Old Town, including a 5-month-old boy who was riding in a stroller.Teantun Davis, 21, is charged with three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon in the shooting Thursday evening in the 1300 block of North Hudson, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.During his bail hearing, prosecutors allege that Davis got out of the backseat of a red Hyundai SUV and fired 14 shots at two men who were eating.One of the bullets ultimately struck a 5-month-old boy who was sitting in a stroller about 100 feet away, prosecutors said.

Cook County residents can report police misconduct online

CHICAGO — The Cook County state’s attorney’s office is launching a new online process to report allegations of police misconduct including excessive force and intimidation.Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced the new complaint form Thursday.

Murder charge filed in beating death of Chicago 1-year-old

CHICAGO -- A 23-year-old man has been charged with fatally beating a 1-year-old boy in an apartment in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.Michael Robinson faces a count of first-degree murder in the death of 23-month-old Antwun Gayden, authorities said.Robinson allegedly punched the child multiple times in the face Tuesday, July 7 at a home in the 4200 block of South Calumet Avenue, according to Chicago police.Antwun was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:41 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.An autopsy found he died of multiple injuries from child abuse, the medical examiner’s office said.

Toddler beaten to death on Chicago's south side; 1 in custody

CHICAGO -- A 23-month-old boy was beaten to death Tuesday in Bronzeville on the South Side during a domestic incident, police said.A man punched the child multiple times in the face about 12:11 p.m. in the 4200 block of South Calumet Avenue, according to preliminary information from Chicago police.The boy was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.The man was taken into custody.The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on the death.Area One detectives are conducting a death investigation.