Afternoon Briefing: Girls wrestling growing fast in Illinois, but equity remains elusive

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Alleged Highland Park mass shooter Robert Crimo III says he wants his public defenders back, about a month after he insisted on representing himself at trial.

At a brief hearing Friday, Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti reappointed his legal team, and set a hearing for next week so Crimo could have time to meet with his lawyers. Crimo did not say what prompted his change of heart, just as he did not say last month what made him decide to represent himself. The Lake County Public Defender’s Office declined to comment after the hearing.

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Jillian Giller, of New Trier High School, pins down Lilliana Lara, of Marist High School, during a match at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire on Dec. 15, 2023. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)

Girls wrestling is Illinois’ fastest growing high school sport. But equity remains elusive for some, parents say.

Some parents say schools have been slow to devote resources, leaving girls without their own teams or dedicated coaches and with fewer chances to compete. Read more here.

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A CTA Yellow Line train moves at the Howard station on Jan. 5, 2023, for the first time in seven weeks after a crash suspended service. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

After weeks of testing, CTA Yellow Line reopens: ‘It makes it a lot easier’

CTA Yellow Line trains rumbled down the tracks Friday morning and pedestrian crossing arms dinged as passengers crossed into stations and boarded railcars along the line for the first time in seven weeks. Read more here.

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Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine walks to the locker room after a loss to the Orlando Magic at the United Center in Chicago on Nov. 15, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Zach LaVine faces questions — and heavy expectations — in his Bulls return: ‘I could care less what people think about me’

Zach LaVine is back. And after nearly six weeks off the court, the star guard returns to the court to face a litany of questions surrounding his future with the Chicago Bulls. Read more here.

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Actor David Soul, right, known for his role in the TV series "Starsky & Hutch," has died. (Keystone/Getty)

David Soul, ‘Starsky & Hutch’ star who was born in Chicago, dies at 80

In addition to “Starsky & Hutch,” David Soul starred in the Western series “Here Come the Brides” and movies like “Magnum Force,” “Salem’s Lot” and more. He was also a singer and released several albums in the ’70s and ’80s. Read more here.

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A man, who is looking for his family members, walks in front of a fallen house in the quake-hit city Anamizu in Japan on Jan. 5, 2024. (Uncredited/AP)

Survivors are found in homes smashed by Japan quake that killed 94 people. Dozens are still missing.

A woman was pulled carefully from the rubble 72 hours after a 7.6 magnitude quake rattled Ishikawa Prefecture. Read more here.

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