News
Chicago Area Hit by Severe Storms, Tornadoes Reported
The Chicago area and parts of the Upper Midwest were hit with severe storms on Tuesday, bringing damaging winds and reports of tornadoes. The storms left thousands without power and caused significant damage in several communities.
Reports of Tornadoes Across the Midwest
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Tornado warnings were issued across the Midwest as a line of storms swept through the region between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.
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The storms are expected to weaken in intensity throughout Wednesday as they move eastward.
Warnings in Ohio and Dramatic Weather in Chicago
The impact of the storms became apparent as officials began assessing the damage and confirming tornadoes in communities west of Chicago on Tuesday night.
As the severe weather threat moved east on Wednesday morning, over 3 million people in Ohio and Kentucky were under a tornado watch. Tornado warnings were issued for several counties in west central Ohio, with reports of debris flying in strong winds and potential damage to mobile homes. Tornado watches were also in effect for Indiana until 6 a.m.
The storms resulted in road closures throughout the Midwest and forced Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, to close one of its gates. Overnight, parts of Michigan, including Grand Blanc, were heavily impacted by the storms, with reports of a tornado striking the area around 1:20 a.m.
Thousands of customers in Michigan and Ohio were left without power as a result of the storms. O’Hare International Airport in Chicago also experienced disruptions, briefly grounding departing flights and suspending rail service.
The National Weather Service confirmed reports of at least one tornado touchdown in Henry County, Illinois, with additional sightings near the city of DeKalb.
Looking Ahead: Storms Move East
The severe storms are expected to continue moving eastward on Wednesday, losing intensity as they do. Cold air following the storms may lead to showers and thunderstorms stretching from the South to the Northeast, with a possibility of isolated strong wind gusts.
As temperatures drop behind the storms, moderate to heavy snowfall is likely in the Great Lakes and Northeast regions.
Contributions to this report were made by Yan Zhuang.
News
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.