Woman pleads guilty in Ill. torture slaying of pregnant, developmentally impaired mother

Woman pleads guilty in Ill. torture slaying

Seasonal swarms of Asian lady beetles bug even insect experts; infestations seen in US, Canada

Seasonal ladybug swarms pester even bug experts

ST. LOUIS — Pest-control specialist Gene Scholes even gets bugged by them — legions of ladybugs lately swarming his rural Missouri home and other stretches across the country, exploiting gaps in door and window seals for cozier climes inside.

Illinois bus driver suspended for wearing pink necktie for breast cancer awareness

Driver suspended for wearing pink tie for cancer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A Springfield Mass Transit District bus driver has received a one-day unpaid suspension for wearing a pink necktie to help raise awareness for breast cancer. The driver, 46-year-old William Jones, had to serve the suspension, but his action led the transit district to agree that employees could wear pink on Fridays October in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Swine flu and kids: Doctors urge parents to watch for life-threatening warning signs

Swine flu and kids: Heed warning signs, MDs say

CHICAGO — Max Gomez was a bright-eyed 5-year-old happy to have just started kindergarten when he developed sniffles and a fever. His mother figured it was only a cold.

Central Illinois sheriff says cause of death ‘blunt force trauma’ for 5 slain family members

Sheriff: Family killed by ‘blunt force trauma’

BEASON, Ill. — A sheriff says all five family members slain in their central Illinois home were killed by “blunt force trauma.”

Authorities investigate rare possible plague-linked death of UC scientist; spread unlikely

Spread unlikely after possible plague-linked death

CHICAGO — There’s no sign of any spread after the rare, possibly plague-related death of a University of Chicago scientist, public health officials said Monday as federal authorities flew in to help investigate.

University of Chicago: Scientist death may be linked to bacteria he researched, causes plague

Ill. scientist dies, possible plague bacteria link

CHICAGO — The University of Chicago Medical Center says the infection that killed a scientist may be connected to bacteria he researched that causes the plague.

Prof _ and mother _ creates program to keep chronically ill students in college

School gives chronically ill students a chance

CHICAGO — Cecilia Reyes stepped onto the auditorium stage, a bit unsteadily. Her legs were tired. She was so nervous, she hardly smiled.

Ill. teacher accused of giving teens pot, alcohol, prescription drugs for work around her home

Ill. teacher accused of giving girls alcohol, pot

FOX LAKE, Ill. — A northern Illinois teacher faces felony charges after allegedly giving two teenage girls marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs in exchange for work around her home. Kym Krocza was arrested Tuesday on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She is free on bond.

It’s never too late to exercise, says study showing survival benefits for those in their 80s

Exercise can extend survival even in ‘oldest old’

CHICAGO — Even in the “oldest old,” a little physical activity goes a long way, extending life by at least a few years for people in their mid- to late 80s, Israeli researchers found.

20 years later, former teenage cocaine kingpin in Chicago now deals hot dogs instead of drugs

Former cocaine kingpin now serves dogs, not drugs

MARKHAM, Ill. — Two decades after customers clamored to buy cocaine from a teenager named John Cappas, they’re lined up again to buy what he has to sell: Hot dogs.

Abbott Labs acquires Visiogen for $400M, expanding vision care product offerings

Abbott acquires Visiogen for $400M

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott Laboratories on Wednesday said it will acquire Visiogen Inc. for $400 million in cash, in a move to expand its vision care segment.