Michael Dauber’s dad (Billy Dauber) was a Chicago mob hitman. Now? Michael Dauber is awaiting trial for murder.

Well, here’s a messed-up story: Michael Dauber (of Nampa, Idaho) was arrested for murdering Steven Kalogerakos of Idaho City — who was, at the time, his roommate. The murder apparently happened in 2007, Dauber has been a person of interest for… Continue Reading

RIP Harold Ramis, who may have spawned more future comedy writers/directors/performers than anyone except “The Simpsons”

I won’t go too deep into the details of Harold Ramis’ life — this isn’t a hard news site by any stretch of the imagination, and the best obit you’ll find is here — but I will pull out one… Continue Reading

Is Chicago safer, or is it a mirage?

Chicago has been almost the one-word association for U.S. violence over the past 30 months, but their 2013 data seems promising: crime’s down 16 percent and homicides are down 18 percent. New York, Houston, and Los Angeles also saw pretty significant… Continue Reading

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Montgomery Ward shut down 13 years ago today, and that may have been a turning point for America

Montgomery Ward, which operated from 1872, shuttered itself on December 28, 2000 — 13 years ago today. This probably doesn’t seem like a very big deal, as in the intervening 13 years, we’ve been able to shop perfectly fine, both… Continue Reading

RIP, Charlie Trotter

Charlie Trotter passed away yesterday, likely as the result of a brain aneurysm. Ironically, just days before, he had appeared at a food conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming — he wasn’t supposed to be flying, according to his doctors — and… Continue Reading