DETAILS EMERGE IN SHOOTING DEATH OF ENDIA MARTIN

The man suspected of providing his teenage niece with the gun she allegedly used to kill another girl was charged late Tuesday with first-degree murder in the case, police said.

Donnell Flora, of the 8300 block of South Buffalo, also accompanied his 14-year-old niece — the alleged shooter — to the location of the shooting, police said. Flora is also charged with aggravated battery, police said.

On Monday afternoon, the 14-year-old girl pulled a gun from her waistband, authorities said, and aimed it at Endia Martin, who is the same age as the alleged shooter.

When the teen pulled the trigger, it jammed, prosecutors said during a bond hearing Tuesday for the alleged shooter.

She handed the gun to someone in the group she was with who fixed the weapon and handed it back to the girl, who then fatally shot Endia, also 14, in the back, prosecutors alleged.

(link below)

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/27135682-418/uncle-accused-of-providing-gun-to-suspected-shooter-in-teens-death.html#.U2EN81VdWSo

KANYE WEST TO RELEASE SPOKEN WORD ALBUM

Kanye West is reportedly planning on releasing a spoken word album, according to an article on contactmusic.com. The story says the project will be three-hours long and that it will be available on vinyl. Topics West is said to discuss on the project include his daughter North, life with fiancée Kim Kardashian and his views on the environment.

LUPE FIASCO ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM WITH S1

Lupe Fiasco has announced Black Vietnam, his upcoming album with S1.

"#BlackVietnam @SymbolycOne & @LupeFiasco #TheAlbum," Fiasco said in a Twitter post made.

Fiasco is also reportedly wrapping up work on Tetsuo & Youth.

NBA COMMISSIONER GIVES DONALD STERLING A LIFE BAN FROM NBA

Donald Sterling, the longtime owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, was barred from the N.B.A. for life and fined $2.5 million by the league’s commissioner, Adam Silver, on Tuesday for making racist remarks. Silver said that Sterling would be barred from any contact with his team and the league and that he would urge the league’s board of governors to force Sterling to sell the team.

The fine, Silver said, was the maximum allowed by the league’s constitution.

Silver said Sterling, in an interview, had admitted to him that the racist remarks on a recording released last week by the website TMZ were his. Silver said he would “do everything in my power” to see that Sterling was forced to sell the Clippers. “I fully expect to get the support I need to remove him,” Silver said.

Before the announcement, Silver said, he discussed the decision with Coach Doc Rivers and guard Chris Paul of the Clippers. “I believe the players will be satisfied with the decision,” Silver said.

POLICE QUESTION PERSON OF INTEREST IN SHOOTING DEATH OF ENDIA MARTIN

Endia Martin, 14, was fatally shot and another teen wounded in Back of the Yards, in an incident her parents believe stemmed from an argument on Facebook. A person of interest was questioned overnight.

The young girl was walking home from Tilden Career Academy in the 900 block of West Garfield when the shooting took place around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Martin was shot in the back. Another teen girl was shot in the arm. Martin was taken to Comer Children's Hospital, where she later died. The other victim was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, where she is listed in stable condition. She is expected to recover.

Chicago Police said an altercation took place among a group of teens standing on the sidewalk before someone opened fire on Monday. One witness said the group only consisted of girls. "All girls,"

Officers interviewed a person of interest in connection with the shooting overnight. Police had not made any arrests as of Tuesday morning. The investigation continues.

(link below)

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9520150

WYTE BOI "INTRO"

Rising Decatur, Illinois artist "Wyte Boi" links with Hybasem3nt for this visual. His debut project is out now with major features and production. Check it out below.

http://www.datpiff.com/Wyte-Boi-Beginners-Luck-mixtape.603631.html

TINK "TIME"

Directed by Zae. Produced by Marcus Norris.

Tink has teamed up with AZae Productions once again for her latest music video, 'Time'. 'Time' is taken from her latest mixtape Winter's Diary 2.

BLACKHAWKS WIN 4 STRAIGHT TO ADVANCE IN NHL PLAYOFFS

Chicago won four in a row after a slow start in St. Louis. The defending Stanley Cup champions will play the winner of the Minnesota-Colorado series in the Western Conference semifinals. The Avalanche lead the Wild 3-2 heading into Game 6 in Minnesota on Monday night.

(link below)

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/sports&id=9518458

DJ PIONEER "DJ RASHAD" PASSES AWAY AT 34

Rashad Hanif Harden, the Chicago DJ and producer known as DJ Rashad who helped establish a new style of dance music over a 15-year career, died on Saturday. He was 34.

Harden was found unresponsive in a Chicago apartment on Saturday afternoon, according to Chicago police officer Janel Sedevic. Drug paraphernalia was found at the scene, and a toxicology report by the Cook County medical examiner was scheduled for Sunday.

It's a tragic ending to a slow-burning career that had only recently been recognized on an international scale. Over the past four years, Harden's frenetic footwork productions evolved from a local Chicago staple to the go-to rhythm of a new generation of dance music producers. His final two full-length albums, 2012's Teklife, Vol. 1: Welcome To The Chi and 2013's Double Cup, were celebrated on numerous year-end lists by dance and pop music critics alike.

PROBCAUSE "CHICAGO STYLE"

Directed by Aaron Perkins Jr.

New single "Chicago Style" from ProbCause

His new project, Waves, drops May 12th.

BANDMAN KEVO "BALLER IN ME"

Chicago artist Bandman Kevo takes a ride in tha lambo through the streets of Miami with his summer banger "Baller in Me" available now on itunes.

RAHM EMANUEL EMAILS SHOW COORDINATION OF CHICAGOLAND

If it seemed as though some scenes of CNN's documentary series "Chicagoland" were coordinated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's City Hall and the show's producers, that's because they were.

More than 700 emails reviewed by the Tribune reveal that the production team worked hand in hand with the mayor's advisers to develop storylines, arrange specific camera shots and review news releases officially announcing the show.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-rahm-emanuel-chicagoland-met-20140425,0,2516905.story

CHICAGO UNSIGNED HYPE INTERVIEW W/ SINCERE

Chicago EST.1837 recently caught up with young rising Hiphop artist "Sincere"

1. Can you introduce yourself to the people?

Hello im "SINCERE" 17yr Old Chicago MC Managed By H3entertainment.

2. How long have you been rapping and how did you get involved in music scene?

Ive been rapping since I was 13yrs old, Didn't Start Taking it serious till I was 15. I got Involved In the Music scene when I got in contact with Showcase Ceo of H3entertainment, Since my first show with them He's been guiding me and teaching me the in's and out's of the industry and helping me develop more as an artist.

3. Tell us about your first performance? Where was it and how did you feel about it?

My First Performance was April 25, 2013, It was the Chicago Unsigned Hype Pt. 2 Showcase I was kind of nervous but once I got the Mic in my hand and them bright lights were shining in my face, I just got a burst of confidence out of no were and Ive been rocking shows ever since.

4. Describe your style and flow. Do you think it stands out from other artists? If so why?

I would describe my style and flow as unique and versatile, yes I think it stands out from others because im not only talking about one topic and plus I make songs that can relate to every emotion, I give em tracks that can have them ttu but also give them a taste of Real Life.

5. For people that don't really know about you and your music what could you tell people about it?

For people who don't know about my music, The first thing I would tell them Is Listen, and that its something different and also sometimes offers a positive message to people, cause honestly the only thing my generation knows right now is negativity, I feel like lets try something different, Even though people can turn up for a time period, at the end of the day you still go home to the same problems, so its my job to make music that can relate to some of those problems.

6. What keeps you focused when it comes to music?

The things that keep me focused on my music is seeing how far God has brought me in such a short time. Also my support team from home (my family) They keep me motivated and wanting to get better, and knowing that I got to be the one to do what it takes to get my people out the struggle and show them something new. Also seeing all the naysayer's and haters doing what they do best Hate.

7. What are you currently working and what can people expect from you in this year?

Im currently working on my debut project "Yung, Fly, & Livin" The Mixtape set to drop late April, you can expect a lot of different emotions and sounds, and a number of visuals. Im Currently in the February issue of Coast2Coast Magazine and on Coast2Coast FM Radio, also Featured on upcoming mixtapes like "H3lifestyle" Vol. 7 & Chicago Unsigned Hype Vol.1.

8. Where do you want to see yourself in 5 years?

In five years I see my self as a college graduate, a very successful rapper, and investing in the stock market.

9. What do you think of other artists in Chicago? Is there anything you would change?

As of the other artist in the Chicago music scene I respect there grind and there hustle and I salute them for putting Chicago music at the place it is today, but everybody is starting to sound like everybody using the same style and same topics. The only thing I would change is how much the music contributes to the Murders and Violence in the streets of Chicago.

10. Do you have any other talents you have or hobbies that you do when you are not focusing on you rap career?

I do have other talents and hobbies, im an ex Ballroom Dance Champion, I played Contact football for about 5yrs and a also studied Japanese Karate for a while.

Follow Sincere's Progress...

www.facebook.com/musicloudlyrics

www.twitter.com/SINCEREyfl

www.reverbnation.com/sincere228

www.youtube.com/sinceredollas

www.instagram.com/known2b_sincere

KING LOUIE RELEASES "TONY" MIXTAPE COVER ART

The mixtape’s cover features black and white artwork that is a nod to the 1983 film Scarface.

King Louie’s last project, Drilluminati 2, dropped in December.

King Louie was nominated for a Grammy for his work on Kanye West’s 2013 album, Yeezus. Louie had a featured verse on the Yeezus cut “Send It Up.”

The 27-year-old MuBu (Man Up Band Up) crew leader Louis Johnson officially records under the name King L. Disney trademarked the King Louie name after its animated orangutan in the 1967 film The Jungle Book.

ACE MAC F/ FAT JOE "BIG BRO"

Ace mac teams with a familiar name "Fat Joe" on this new single.

Follow @OGAceMac On IG

POPULAR "PURPLE DRANK" OR "LEAN" NOW BANNED

Sizzurp, purple drank and the list of nicknames for the codeine-infused cough syrup continues.

In a bold and unprecedented move, Actavis, the company that produces the prescription cough syrup responsible for purple drank, halted production and is taking it off shelves at pharmacies nationwide.

“They’re just pulling off the one that contains codeine and Phenergan. The Phenergan sort of dries you up if you have a cold but if you take enough of it, it adds drowsiness, maybe a slight euphoria,” said Dr. Michael Wahl, Director of the Illinois Poison Center.

In an interview with FOX 32’s Tisha Lewis, Wahl says music glamorizes prescription drug abuse.

“That is really what is driving, I think, the use of this drug and abuse,” said Wahl.

(link below)

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/25325476/purple-drank-banned-from-pharmacies-nationwide

ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVICE FROM BAD BOY EMPIRE BUILDER "P.DIDDY"

The richest man in hip-hop sits down with Forbes senior editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg to discuss his entrepreneurial vision—and what he'd do if he had to start all over again today.

FAM BOYZ F/ DARRIN MCLAREN "STREET N***A"

Fam Boyz ft. Darrin Mclaren - "Street Nigga" official video. CFLMG's Darrin Mclaren and S. Money teams up with Fam Boyz in Detroit to produce visuals for Fam Boyz hit single "Street Nigga"

CHANCE THE RAPPER CANCELS MORE TOUR DATES (OFFICIAL STATEMENT)

Chance The Rapper was set to be back on the road today after canceling his second Coachella appearance due to being hospitalized shortly, but that’s no longer the case.

Chance is currently at home resting and is set to see a specialist sometime this week. Read the full statement from Chance’s management below.

WRIGLEY FIELD TURNS 100 THIS YEAR

It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales. It was called Cubs Park between 1920 and 1926 before being renamed for then Cubs team owner and chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr.. Between 1921 and 1970

SICK MOBB "LAMBORGHINI GIRL"

The west side rap duo offers up a video for their popular viral single.

Directed by Slate House Productions. Produced by Cicero.

BULLS LOSE 1ST TWO HOME GAMES OF THE PLAYOFFS

The Wizards couldn't maintain a 17-point first-quarter lead and had to rally from 10 down in the fourth.

The Bulls appeared to be in good shape when they were leading 87-77 five minutes into the fourth. They were still leading, 91-85, when Beal shot the Wizards back into the game.

Only three teams have dropped Games 1 and 2 at home and won a series: the 1968-69 Lakers, 1993-94 Rockets and the 2004-05 Dallas Mavericks.

(link below)

http://www.suntimes.com/27002052-579/bulls-lose-first-two-games-at-home-wizards-earn-ot-win.html#.U1e5WVVdWSo

KANYE WEST AND COMMON TO CREATE JOBS FOR CHICAGO YOUTH

Many of Chicago’s kids are about to be put to work, thanks to the efforts of Common’s Common Ground Foundation and Kanye West’s Donda’s House (run by rapper Rhymefest and his wife), along with five other Chicago-based nonprofit groups. The coalition are aiming to create 1,000 year-round jobs for Chicago youths as an answer to a January jobs report for the city that showed 92 percent of young black males there are jobless.

The Chicago-Sun Times reports that the idea was hatched based on feedback from kids who participated in summer job programs. This group of non-profits plans to offer jobs starting at the end of September and increase the offerings next year, with the goal of impacting 15,000 youths by 2015.

“With the joining of these great organizations, we hope to continue the efforts of so many other organizations and the City of Chicago to create opportunities throughout the year for our youth and challenge our city to do even more on the ground. Our efforts will culminate in a musical celebration every year that will include resources offered to Chicago kids, directly related to placing them with an opportunity that can provide them hope and stability,” said Common at a press conference at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art announcing the project.

Part of the fundraising efforts behind this will be a music festival sponsored by Common and West’s foundations called The AAHH! FEST.

EXPELLED FROM EVERY OTHER SCHOOL (LAST CHANCE)

Last Chance High takes viewers inside Montefiore's classrooms and into the homes of students who are one mistake away from being locked up or committed to a mental hospital.

On Chicago's West Side, there is a school for the city's most at-risk youth — the Moses Montefiore Academy. Most of the students at Montefiore have been kicked out of other schools for aggressive behavior, and many have been diagnosed with emotional disorders.

SCHOOLBOY Q F/ BJ THE CHICAGO KID "STUDIO"

ScHoolboy Q is steady promoting his debut album “Oxymoron” as he premieres a new video “Studio” featuring BJ The Chicago Kid.

JOAKIM NOAH NBA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Joakim Noah joins Michael Jordan ('88) as only Bulls players to win defensive player of year

SAINT MILLIE "ROAD TO GLORY" THE DOCUMENTARY

Introducing Saint Millie, a 22-year-old musician who believes he is living his “road to glory.” Watch the young artist on his journey, from Chicago to Austin for the South by Southwest Music Festival.

A 3-man team (Sean Ely, Lenny Gilmore, Ernest Wilkins) at RedEye followed Saint Millie and his small entourage around for a couple months with a camera.

This is a snippet of the April 23 release of "Road to Glory: The Documentary" starring Saint Millie himself.

CALEB JAMES "HONESTY AND LOYALTY"

Directed by Austin Vesely

co-produced by: Caleb James & Steve Stone Huff

Matador Entertainment Group

The Jones 2.0 is Coming Soon...

DO OR DIE "LOUD PACK"

Directed by Stunna Reese

Chicago legends do or die provide a new smoking anthem.

JAHLIL OKAFOR AND CLIFF ALEXANDER CO MVPS OF JORDAN CLASSIC

Held in Michael Jordan’s birthplace for the second consecutive year, the 2014 Jordan Brand Classic saw Chicago’s highly-touted big men take over Brooklyn. Duke-bound Jahlil Okafor and Kansas-signee Cliff Alexander combined for 52 points. Both regarded as the national player of the year — Alexander was awarded the Naismith Player of the Year title, while Okafor was named the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year. Okafor finished with 29 points and 9 rebounds for the East, while Alexander had 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks.

The East squad defeated the West 158-147.

FEDS CREATE UNIT TO COMBAT CHICAGO VIOLENCE

The U.S Attorney's Office in Chicago announced today the creation of a specialized unit with a mission to help rein in the city's rampant violent crime.

The Violent Crimes section, which began operations on April 1, is staffed by 16 prosecutors focusing solely on how federal statutes can be used to go after violence, said Randall Samborn, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon.

Samborn said prosecutors will use drug and gun statutes as well as extortion and money laundering laws to go after criminal crews responsible for violent acts.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-feds-create-unit-to-combat-chicago-violence-20140421,0,7845344.story?track=rss

CHICAGO SENDING BIKE COPS TO HIGH CRIME AREAS

The Chicago Police Department is deploying bikes for use by patrol officers in 19 of 20 targeted zones that have had a history of high rates of violence, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Supt. Garry McCarthy announced Friday.

Roughly a third of the 360 foot patrol officers assigned to the police’s Operation Impact program, which targets high violence neighborhoods, have been trained and equipped with bikes, officials said. Some 140 officers will participate in the bike patrol.

The bikes are being deployed in zones on the South and West sides.

(link below)

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/26920023-418/city-sends-bike-cops-into-high-crime-neighborhoods.html#.U1FrFVVdWSp

KAYE FOX "HEAR I AM" EP

After months of anticipation RnB sensation Kaye Fox finally presents her EP, "Hear I Am"

LAGUNITAS OPENS IN CHICAGO

After six grueling months of preparation and one celebratory toast, the 300,000-square-foot Lagunitas brewery officially fired up its bottling operation in Chicago Friday.

The huge Douglas Park facility cleans, fills, caps and labels 450 bottles of Lagunitas India Pale Ale each minute. Lagunitas, a 21-year-old company, also has a brewery in Petaluma, Calif. The Chicago brewery currently has about the same brewing capacity, but will expand on that with an additional brew house by the end of the year.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-lagunitas-opens-chicago-operation-20140418,0,1162382.story

JABARI PARKER DECLARES FOR THE NBA DRAFT

Jabari Parker, as expected, is moving on to the NBA after one season at Duke.

Parker announced his decision Thursday in an article for Sports Illustrated.

"Ultimately, I boiled my decision down to two simple questions," Parker wrote:

"Which environment — college or the NBA — offers me the best opportunity to grow as a basketball player?

"Which environment — college or the NBA — offers me the best opportunity to grow and develop off the court?

"The answer to both questions is undeniably the NBA."

AURORA 8TH GRADER CHARGED FOR BRINGING GUN TO SCHOOL

An 8th grader at a suburban Chicago middle school was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after a loaded handgun was found inside his locker. The gun was discovered Monday afternoon in the 13-year-old's locker at Washington Middle School in Aurora.

Authorities say a teacher became suspicious when she noticed a group of students milling around the boy's locker. A search of the locker by the teacher and an administrator turned up the gun in a book bag.

CUBS vs YANKEES GAME POSTPONED WILL BE MADE UP AS DOUBLHEADER

Tonight’s game between the Cubs and Yankees in New York has been postponed due to inclement weather, the Yankees announced. The game will be made up Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. as part of a day-night doubleheader.

1500 ILLEGAL GUNS SEIZED THE FIRST 15 WEEKS OF THE YEAR

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Chicago Police have seized more than 1,500 illegal guns since the start of 2014, the department announced Monday. The announcement came after a bloody weekend in the city that saw four people killed and at least 33 others wounded in shootings, which police say underscores "the need for stronger, more reasonable gun laws," according to a Chicago Police statement.

Chicago Police recover more illegal firearms than any other city in the nation, according to the department.

(link below)

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/25243987/1500-illegal-guns-seized-in-first-15-weeks-of-year?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

CHICAGO 8TH GRADE TEAMMATES KEZO BROWN & CHASE ADAMS NEXT UP!

8th grade guard Marquise "Kezo" Brown has taken Chicago by STORM leading his public grammar school team ARIEL Storm (which also features guard Chase Adams) to an undefeated CPS season and Chicago city championship! Kezo Brown averaged roughly 20 points per game for the season, taking over whenever necessary with his unmatched hustle and intensity. Next season, the 6ft lefty Kezo Brown will attend famed Simeon Career Academy.

In this midseason Ballislife basketball mixtape, check out Chase's high level passing and ball handling. Chase averages 12 points, 14 assists per game.

CHICAGO UNSIGNED HYPE INTERVIEW W/ "KAYE FOX"

Chicago EST.1837 recently caught up with rising artist "Kaye Fox"

1. For those that don't know, how did you come up with the name Kaye Fox and what do you stand for as an artist?

Kaye Fox is just a name we came up with It use to be K. Fox..K coming from my first name Kim and Fox just a made up last name because I didn't want to use Jefferson.

2. To date, what is your most memorable music moment?

Patti Labelle had never heard me sing she took me to Ashford and Simpson's club to an open mic where she slayed and then introduced me talking about how beautiful my voice was. I went up and did a great job! She was like "Thanks for not embarrassing me. When ever you go somewhere and they ask you to, you go up and let then have it. Cause you can sing baby!!

3. Songwriting, Recording, Performing..Which one of these elements do you enjoy most?

Those are all different things.. It's like asking what child you like the most.. They all have a very important place in my life. I'm sure when I see thousands of people singing my songs at once while I'm performing it'll change.. What could be better than that?

4. At this point in your career, what inspires your work ethic?

I love what I do. The passion and drive for it is just in me. I'm that way in rehearsals, the studio, video shoots, Interviews. I just love what I do. So it's kinda instinctive.

5.What is the end goal for Kaye Fox? Where do you see yourself in five years?

I'm an entrepreneur. I see myself as an international super star. Doing albums, movies, tv shows, writing books, owning several businesses, maybe even married and having children. I'm super woman hell!! Lol.

6. For the short term, what can we expect from you the rest of this year?

This year... I'm releasing an EP April 14th and plan to tour this summer. I also plan to release another project at the end of the summer/ early fall! Looking to start filming as well!!! It's all very exciting stuff! I'm very appreciative and happy!

FOLLOW HER

@ItsKayeFox

YOUNG CHOP RECENT INTERVIEW WITH DJ VLAD

Young Chop shares his thoughts on Chief Keef's "F*ck Rehab" track, and admits that he doesn't like it. He adds that "Chief already knows what it is. It was a label decision."

BLOOD MONEY OF GBE KILLED

A South Side rapper who had collaborated with his cousin Chief Keef was shot and killed Wednesday night in West Englewood.

Mario Hess, also known as Blood Money, was just signed by Interscope Records about two weeks ago, according to his manager and cousin, Renaldo Reuben Hess.

"This was his dream and he finally got his foot in the door," Renaldo Hess said. "But that's how it goes in Chicago. He really wanted to get off the streets."

Renaldo Hess said his cousin was on his way to the studio and stopped to talk to some girls in a car when someone walked up and shot him. Renaldo Hess says there was no known motive.

Police said Mario Hess, 30, was shot and killed about 9:30 p.m. in the 5600 block of South Elizabeth Street. He was found lying on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the chest.

He was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he died at 10:29 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

(link below)

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9498766

TEAM USA BASKETBALL COMING TO THE UNITED CENTER

USA Basketball announced Wednesday that its men’s national team will play an exhibition gameagainst Brazil at the United Center on August 16.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is an assistant to head coach Mike Krzyzewski for Team USA, and point guard Derrick Rose is among the pool of 28 players trying to make the FIBA World Cup team. Rose is out for the remainder of the NBA season as he recovers from a torn right medial meniscus, but he’s set Team USA’s mini-camp as a goal for his return to fully competitive action.

Team USA will spend three days in the Chicago area on its training tour, which also includes stops in Las Vegas, New York and Gran Canaria.

CALIFORNIA WOMAN ARRESTED AT MIDWAY AIRPORT WITH 2500 GRAMS OF WEED

A California woman was arrested at Chicago's Midway International Airport on Tuesday after police allegedly found $15,000 worth of cannabis with her.

Roseanne Marisco, 24, was charged with one felony count of cannabis possession, police said in a statement. She was arrested at the airport at 12:54 p.m. after an investigation found roughly 2,500 grams of cannabis in her possession, police said. The drugs have an estimated street value of $15,000.

(link below)

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-midway-airport-pot-bust-254510291.html

WATCH DOGS "WELCOME TO CHICAGO" (TRAILER)

Dive into the Chicago playground with this ingame-captured trailer, showing the game's depth and diversity.

PEET'S COFFEE EYES CHICAGO FOR NEW STORES

Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. said it has plans to open 20 new stores in Chicago this year as part of its expansion. The Emeryville, Calif.-based coffee chain opened its first shop in Washington, D.C. near the White House this week and has plans for 23 more, mostly in spaces it picked up from Caribou Coffee last year. At the time, Caribou said it would close most of its 18 Chicago locations, half of which would rebrand as Peet's. Illinois was Caribou's second-largest market with 66 stores. Minneapolis-based Caribou was taken private in 2013 by JAB in a $340 million deal.

(link below)

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2014/04/08/peets-coffee-eyes-chicago-for-new-stores.html?utm_content=buffer4fa50&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

NICKI MINAJ F/ LIL HERB "CHIRAQ"

After a brief absence, Nicki Minaj is fully back in 2014. The barrage of new material continues with the arrival of her new track "Chi-Raq." She's joined by Lil Herb, and both of them offer excellent verses.

DRIVER OF DERAILED CHICAGO TRAIN FIRED

A transit authority spokeswoman said the driver, an unnamed 25-year-old woman who had been an operator for two months, was fired April 4. The driver told NTSB investigators that she had "dozed off" before the accident, and not for the first time. Her union said she was overworked and exhausted.

(link below)

http://cir.ca/news/ohare-train-derailment?utm_content=buffer4b6e2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

BERNIE MAC CHARITY COMING UNDER FIRE

Bernard McCullough grew up above an Englewood church and then worked as a fry cook while honing his comedy act at night. Decades later, after hitting it big in nightclubs, television and movies, Bernie Mac wanted to give back.

He founded a small charity in 2005 aimed at helping fellow sufferers of sarcoidosis, a disease that disproportionately affects blacks in the U.S. The organization continued after his death three years later, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations and holding fundraisers — including a blues show as recently as February.

But public records and interviews show that the charity is falling short of key benchmarks for such organizations, as well as the generous intentions of its founder. For instance, records for the six years ending in 2012 show that 13 percent of the Bernie Mac Foundation's spending has gone to charitable programs, far below the 65 percent minimum that experts recommend.

A national sarcoidosis group also told the Tribune that it never received an agreed-upon grant from the Bernie Mac Foundation. Ginger Spitzer, executive director of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, said the Bernie Mac Foundation pledged $100,000 to the group in 2010 but paid out only $50,000.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-bernie-mac-charity-met-20140406,0,4507066.story

LIL HERB "WELCOME TO FAZOLAND" NO DJ VERSION

Lil Herb’s Welcome To Fazoland, is now available without any DJ tags or shouts.

Also includes two bonus records — “Everyday In Chicago” and “At Night”

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

KING DEAZEL "THE CAMPAIGN" MIXTAPE

Hosted By DJ Moondawg & DJ Timbuck2. King Deazel offers up 17 new tracks for his project "The Campaign"

MATTI BAYBEE "YOUNG LEGEND 2' MIXTAPE

Hosted by DJ Victoriouz. Matti Baybee unleashes fourteen new tracks with the follow-up to his debut effort, Young Legend 2.

MAN JUMPS ON BLUE LINE TO SAVE WOMAN

In a dramatic rescue, an off-duty TSA worker jumped onto the Blue Line tracks to stop an oncoming train from hitting a woman Wednesday at the Chicago Avenue stop.

The worker, wearing a bright orange jacket, jumped onto the inbound tracks and waved his arms to stop the train. The train stopped short of the underground platform and the woman was safely pulled back onto the platform by other commuters.

The incident was witnessed by DNAinfo Radio News Director Jon Hansen, who was waiting for the train on the platform.

(link & video below)

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140402/river-west/man-jumps-on-blue-line-tracks-save-woman-from-oncoming-train

DREA O RECAPS SXSW (ESP.1)

What's it really like at SXSW you ask?.... For all the people that have never been.. Drea O gives you a 1st hand look into what goes down.

http://dreaoppan.blogspot.com/2014/04/drea-o-takes-sxsw-rick-ross-w-surprise.html

SINCERE "F**K I LOOK LIKE"

Rising Chicago artist Sincere debuts his new single with the help of DJ JT Da Don. Link below.

LAWMAKER PREDICTS MARIJUANA WILL BE LEGAL IN 5 YEARS

Two states with legal recreational use. Twenty more that allow medical use. Record-high support at the national level for more permissive policies. It seems fair to say that the United States' official stance on marijuana is shifting quickly. In fact, one congressman is predicting that U.S. pot prohibition will be a thing of the past before the end of the decade.

"I think it’s game over in less than five years," Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said Monday during an interview with The Huffington Post.

As of now, 20 states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, and voters in Colorado and Washington have approved marijuana for recreational use. About a dozen more states are expected to legalize marijuana in some form over the next several years. One recent study has projected a $10 billion legal marijuana industry by 2018.

Despite a growing and profitable legal marijuana industry, the federal government continues to ban the plant, classifying it as a Schedule I substance alongside drugs like heroin and LSD, and maintaining that it has "no currently accepted medical use."

(link below)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/02/marijuana-prohibition-ending_n_5065594.html?&ir=Chicago&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000059

CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION VP ON PROPOSED PENSION DEAL

Chicago Teachers Union press briefing on April 1, 2014, on a proposed pension deal by the City of Chicago, a deal full of deep pension cuts that would put the financial security of thousands of city workers at risk.

DJ SEAN MAC PRESENTS "TRAP VS DRILL 6"

Sean Mac continues his Trap vs Drill mixtape series, this time around linking with Fredo Santana for the hosting duties.

DRAKE DISSES CHANCE THE RAPPER ON "DRAFT DAY"

Drake returns with “Draft Day,” affirming his five-year spot as the proverbial #1 pick in the league (he even references Johnny Manziel in his official artwork). He uses a Boi-1da-produced track employing a Lauryn Hill sampled vocal. Drake talks extra cocky on this one, and check these subliminal lines out.

Drake kinda shoots a dismissive brushback line towards Chance The Rapper, who may be believed to be one of the other top prospects on “Draft Day.”

Here’s what he said there: “And if I would’ve left shit to chance, I probably would have picked a name like Chance The Rapper / No offense, ’cause I don’t know that nigga.”

2014 FIRST QUARTER MURDER TOTAL LOWEST IN 56 YEARS

The city’s first-quarter murder total this year hit its lowest number since 1958, police say. The first three months of the year saw 6 fewer murders than the same time frame in 2013–a 9 percent drop–and 55 fewer murders than 2012, according to a statement from Chicago Police.

There were 90 fewer shootings and 119 fewer shooting victims, drops of 26 and 29 percent respectively, according to police statistics. Compared to the first quarter of 2012, there have been 222 fewer shootings and 292 fewer shooting victims.

Overall crime is down 25 percent from last year.

(link below)

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/04/01/police-2014-first-quarter-murder-total-lowest-in-56-years/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

CHICAGO MUSIC LEGEND FRANKIE KNUCKLES DIES

Chicago House music legend, Frankie Knuckles, regarded by some as the Godfather of Chicago House, has reportedly passed away. He was 59.

Sources say Knuckles died of complications from type two diabetes.