Melissa Espana
WGN TV News
Chicago, IL, United States
Contact Melissa
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Melissa:
37-year-old beat by two women in Lakeview, police say
CHICAGO — A 37-year-old woman was beaten by two women in Lakeview, according to Chicago police. The woman was walking out of a gas station on the 3500 block of North Halsted Avenue around 3:15 a.m. Thursday when two women struck her in the face and stole her purse — containing her credit cards. The […] → Read More
President Biden gives update on Hurricane Ian response
President Joe Biden gave an update Friday on Hurricane Ian response efforts. Meteorologists say the Category 1 storm is expected to make landfall somewhere between Charleston and Georgetown around midday. The core of Hurricane Ian is approximately 55 miles offshore as of 10:40 a.m. The storm has knocked out power to thousands of customers and […] → Read More
39-year-old man shot in Edgewater: police
CHICAGO — A 39-year-old man was shot in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood. Chicago police said the man was walking on the 1000 block of West Catalpa Avenue around 12 a.m. early Friday morning when someone in a black sedan fired shots. The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition with a […] → Read More
Spooky haunted houses in Illinois you need to visit before Halloween
CHICAGO — Spooky season is in full swing and Illinois has some of the best haunted houses around for those who like a good scare. Check out some of the spookiest haunted houses throughout the state: 13th Floor 5050 River Rd, Schiller Park, IL 6017613thfloorchicago.com Basement of the Dead 42 W. New York St., Aurora, […] → Read More
2 dead after shooting at Posen bar, police say
POSEN, Ill. — Two people were killed in a shooting at a Posen bar, according to police. The Posen Police Department said there was a shooting Sunday at Hero’s Sports Bar and Grill at 14346 S. Western Ave. where two people were transported to local hospitals where they later died. Police did not release details […] → Read More
Photos released of suspects who violently attacked man with wine bottle on CTA: police
CHICAGO — Chicago police released photos of two suspects who attacked and robbed a man on the CTA Red Line. Detectives say a group of people, including the woman and man in the photos, approached a man riding the train early Sunday morning near 95th Street. The suspects took money and a bottle of wine […] → Read More
Natural gas cause of building explosion that killed man, injured 7 others: CFD
CHICAGO — One of eight people who was hospitalized after an apartment building exploded in the Austin neighborhood has died. According to the Chicago Fire Department’s Office of Fire Investigation, the source of the explosion was the ignition of natural gas. The investigation has not determined the cause of that ignition, fire officials say. The CFD […] → Read More
4 dead in Oak Forest after barricade situation, fire
OAK FOREST, Ill. — The medical examiner said four people were killed after officials responded to a barricade situation and house fire in suburban Oak Forest. The Oak Forest Police Department said officers responded to a domestic disturbance call involving a report of gunfire on the 5500 block of Ann Marie Lane around 6:30 a.m. […] → Read More
Chicago area pumpkin patches to visit this fall
CHICAGO — It’s officially fall in the Chicago area meaning pumpkin patches are ready to welcome everyone to celebrate the fall season. Check out some of the pumpkin farms and patches you can visit in the area: Abbey Farms 2855 Hard Rd.Aurora, IL 60502abbeyfarms.org Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest 13341 W. 151st St.Homer Glen, […] → Read More
Woman charged with attempted murder of her 3-year-old nephew after pushing him into Lake Michigan: police
CHICAGO — A woman was charged after police said she pushed her 3-year-old nephew into Lake Michigan. Victoria Moreno, 34, was charged with felony attempted first-degree murder and felony aggravated battery of a child after she was arrested Monday. A police source on Tuesday told WGN Investigates that Navy Pier surveillance video appears to show […] → Read More
1 in custody after shots fired at Chicago police in Little Village
CHICAGO — A person was taken into custody after shots were fired at police in Little Village. Officers responded to the 2800 block of West 25th Place around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday night for reports of a person with a gun. At the scene, officers saw a man in the street with a rifle. The man […] → Read More
Multiple hospitalized after South Austin building explosion
CHICAGO — Multiple people were hospitalized after a building collapsed in South Austin Tuesday morning. First responders were on the scene at a three-story, 36-unit apartment building just before 9:30 a.m. at the 5600 block of West West End Avenue. At least 10 ambulances were at the location. The building next door was evacuated, according […] → Read More
Body found in Roseland garbage can: police
CHICAGO — Chicago police are investigating after a body was found in a Roseland garbage can. A man’s body was found unresponsive in a garbage can on the 100 block of West 110th Place around 7 p.m. Monday, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s age, name and cause of […] → Read More
Jury says Sterigenics should pay $363 million to Willowbrook woman exposed to cancer causing gases
WILLOWBROOK, Ill. — A Cook County jury decided that Sterigenics should pay $363 million to a Willowbrook woman who was exposed to cancer-causing gases. The verdict was reached Monday in the first lawsuit against Sterigenics. A jury decided 70-year-old Sue Kamuda, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now a survivor, should get $38 […] → Read More
CPD searching for suspects they say attacked 3 people on the CTA Red Line
CHICAGO — Police released surveillance photos of a group of people they say attacked and robbed three others at the CTA’s 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station. Police said that on Aug. 29 around 5:35 p.m., a group of suspects attacked three people during which they stole a pair of headphones and a phone from two […] → Read More
Pritzker announces disaster proclamation to help asylum seekers
CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced a disaster proclamation to help get resources and support for asylum seekers that arrived in Chicago from Texas. On Wednesday, the governor was joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to give an update on the migrants that arrived in the city via […] → Read More
2 sexual assaults reported at DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus
CHICAGO — Police are investigating two instances of sexual assault reported at DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus. A suspect reportedly made non-consensual physical contact at an event at the Student Center on Monday on the 2200 block of North Sheffield Avenue. A similar incident involving the same suspect was reported Wednesday at Corcoran Hall on the […] → Read More
UPPAbaby stroller recalled due to amputation hazard
CHICAGO — UPPAbaby has recalled one of its strollers following a report of a severe injury to a child. The recall affects UPPAbaby all-terrain RIDGE jogging strollers. Safety regulators say fingers can get caught in an opening on the rear disc brakes of the stroller, causing injuries. There has been one report of a child […] → Read More
Former CPS dean accused of sexually assaulting a student
CHICAGO — The former dean of a Chicago Public School is facing sexual assault charges and is being accused of assaulting a student who was 15 at the time. Brian Crowder, 40, is facing accusations from 2013, when he worked at Lawndale High School, according to Block Club Chicago. A sophomore student at the time […] → Read More
2 sisters shot in Little Village, 1 fatally
CHICAGO — Two sisters were shot, one fatally, in Little Village, according to Chicago police. The women, ages 24 and 22, were standing outside around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday night on the 12700 block of South Homan Avenue when a gunman opened fire. The younger sister was shot several times in the torso and was taken […] → Read More