Daywatch: Details emerge about shooting near Schurz High School

Good morning, Chicago.

Students returned to Carl Schurz High School Thursday, just one day after a shooting that left four teens wounded, including two Schurz students.

Community members greeted students with doughnuts and flowers outside the Northwest Side school in efforts to make the return a bit easier. But despite the added comforts, Thursday wasn’t business as usual.

Students appeared somber and nervous as they walked by the ice cream shop where the shooting happened and past two flashing-blue police cars into the school.

“I’m very scared walking outside by myself now. I don’t feel safe being around here anymore,” said Schurz student Laroyae Baker.

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Former R. Kelly girlfriend testifies singer’s associate suggested they should’ve killed her over sex tape

R. Kelly’s former girlfriend took the witness stand on the ninth day of the singer’s federal trial in Chicago, where Kelly and two associates, Derrel McDavid and Milton “June” Brown, are accused of conspiring to pay off witnesses and buy back sex tapes to hide years of Kelly’s sexual misconduct.

Lisa Van Allen, 42, testified Thursday that in 2007, McDavid, Kelly’s longtime business manager, told her they should have killed her instead of paying her to return an incriminating videotape of the disgraced R&B star having sex with her and a 14-year-old girl.

City Council committee discusses need for mental health resources for Chicago police officers

After a recent string of officer suicides, mental health experts spoke with a City Council committee on what can be done to support Chicago police officers. Alexa James, CEO of the Chicago chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, told the council’s committee on public safety that officers are more likely to lose their lives to suicide than any other manner of death in the line of duty.

“Factors that contribute to these deaths are complex,” she said. “Police officers and firefighters have high rates of unsteadiness in the workplace. They experienced continual trauma. They also experienced physical injuries that impact their mental wellness. This is unfortunately the perfect recipe for officers feeling hopeless, and some using substances to manage stress and trauma response — both of which are major predictors of suicide.”

NASCAR to set up shop in Chicago as plans for first-ever street race take shape

NASCAR has named veteran racing executive Julie Giese to oversee its first-ever street race in Chicago as it gears up for a Lollapalooza-like festival at Grant Park for next Fourth of July weekend.

Her first job is setting up a permanent office for NASCAR in Chicago. Giese is scouting space near the park and plans to hire about a dozen full-time employees devoted exclusively to the annual Chicago event, which NASCAR sees as a major opportunity to draw new fans to auto racing.

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4 things to watch for in the Chicago Bears preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, including Roquan Smith’s return and final roster battles

The Chicago Bears starters are expected to see their most extended preseason playing time when they take on the Cleveland Browns on 6 p.m. Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Here are four storylines to watch in the final preseason matchup before the opener, including linebacker Roquan Smith’s return and Teven Jenkins’ battle for a starting position.

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Column: ‘Ferris Bueller 2!’ With every reboot, spinoff or sequel, I think: Make it stop. Hollywood will not stop.

Nina Metz writes: “There is no such thing as a new idea. Mark Twain made that observation, and who knew he would be anticipating Hollywood’s compulsion to reboot and spinoff any movie or tv show. Everything old is new again. And again. And again.”

At least the announced “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” spinoff is coming at the story from a newish angle. Developed by the same team behind the Netflix series “Cobra Kai” (which itself re-imagines “The Karate Kid” franchise) the new “Day Off” will apparently focus on the downtown parking garage attendants who took that purloined red Ferrari for a joy ride while Ferris and friends ditched school to take in the sights and sounds of downtown Chicago.