Daywatch: Trump becomes the official Republican presidential nominee

Good morning, Chicago.

The top of Republicans’ presidential ticket came together suddenly Monday, as Donald Trump swept a majority of votes from national convention delegates and announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice presidential running mate.

In Vance, Trump picked a onetime critic who became a loyal ally and is now the first millennial to join a major-party ticket at a time of deep concern about the advanced age of America’s political leaders.

The 39-year-old Vance rose to national fame with the 2016 publication of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and has become one of the staunchest champions of the former president’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, particularly on trade, foreign policy and immigration.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition

Illinois delegates in Milwaukee say J.D. Vance ‘will bring a lot of energy’ to GOP ticket

Illinois delegates praised former President Donald Trump’s choice of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate.

“I think he’s an exciting young talent in our party, and I couldn’t be happier to have J.D. Vance as our vice-presidential nominee,” Travis Akin, a convention delegate from downstate Illinois, said from the floor of Fiserv Forum following the announcement of Vance’s selection. “He understands the Beltway, so he brings a lot of that knowledge with him. But he hasn’t been there for so long that he’s jaded. I think he will bring a lot of energy.”

Chicago police boss still confident in convention security plan here after Trump shooting

Days after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, Chicago Police Department leadership once again stressed the city’s preparedness for next month’s Democratic National Convention.

The security measures CPD plans to take are constantly evolving, top leaders said.

Tornado warnings issued for parts of northern Illinois, collar counties

The National Weather Service Chicago issued a tornado warning for Cook and DuPage counties set to last through 12:30 a.m. Tuesday as heavy wind and rain pummeled the Chicago area.

The tornadoes prompted Midway and O’Hare International airports to issue a ground stop until at least 10:30 p.m., per the Federal Aviation Administration. Four CTA lines — the Brown, Yellow, Pink and Green routes — reported “major delays” late Monday night due to weather-induced signal problems, a spokesperson said.

Lawyers for ex-Speaker Madigan ask judge to gut indictment in light of SCOTUS ruling

Armed with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that scaled back a key federal bribery statute, lawyers for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan argued in a new filing that 14 counts of the indictment are “fatally infirm” and should be dismissed, in part because there is no proof that the once-powerful Democratic leader agreed to use his official position for personal gain.

Former Outcome Health leaders appeal their fraud convictions

The former leaders of Outcome Health — who were recently sentenced for fraud — have filed notices that they’re appealing their convictions.

Former Outcome CEO and co-founder Rishi Shah and former co-founder and President Shradha Agarwal filed their notices appeal on Monday and Friday, respectively. They are appealing their convictions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Police made 27 arrests in chaos at Copa America final, including Colombian soccer official’s son

The Miami-Dade Police Department said it made 27 arrests and 55 ejections after a host of crowd-control issues Sunday at the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, including fans breaching security gates at the entrance of Hard Rock Stadium.

2024 MLB draft: Which players with local connections were drafted — and by which teams

Several baseball players with Illinois connections have been selected in Major League Baseball’s 2024 amateur draft.

Sanford Burris skippers Maverick to record time in Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

Sanford Burris skippered Maverick to a record-breaking finish in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, finishing the course of 289 nautical miles up Lake Michigan in 22 hours, 24 minutes and 23 seconds.

That was 1 hour, 6 minutes and 11 seconds faster than the record set by Roy P. Disney aboard Pyewacket in 2002.

Scientists have confirmed a cave on the moon that could be used to shelter future explorers

Scientists have confirmed a cave on the moon, not far from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago, and suspect there are hundreds more that could house future astronauts.

Review: In ‘Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea’ by Pegasus Players, a Black teenager is haunted by a dream

An uncanny dream about an ancestor is the catalyst for a life-changing journey in “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” a play by Rockford native Nathan Alan Davis. ILesa Duncan, fresh off directing an excellent revival of “Native Son” at Lifeline Theatre, directs this production at Pegasus Theatre Chicago, where she is the executive and producing artistic director.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago unveils $500 million Century Plan to transform its campus

After teasing the initiative earlier this year, on Tuesday Brookfield Zoo Chicago announced further details for a long-term renovation project pegged to its centenary in 2034.

What the zoo calls its Next Century Plan will redevelop 113 of its 235 acres — about half its footprint — over the next two to three decades. Most of the area targeted for redevelopment lies west of Brookfield’s main promenade, creating “immersive ecoregions” that provide animals more room to roam, optimize outdoor space and allow non-carnivorous species to freely mingle, just as they would in the wild.