Former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot became the first black and openly gay person to become mayor of Chicago Tuesday with a swift victory over opponent Toni Preckwinkle. Lightfoot will now lead the third-largest city within the United States.

In her acceptance speech, Lightfoot stated, “Out there tonight a lot of little girls and boys are watching. They’re watching us, and they’re seeing the beginning of something, well, a little bit different.” She later stated, “They’re seeing a city reborn.” Lightfoot vowed to help decline the violence in Chicago and the corruption in politics. Lightfoot will be sworn in on Monday, May 20.

St. Thomas alumna and current associate vice president of diversity and inclusion, Artika Tyner, will now lead a new center for students to expand the ways they look at race, leadership, and social justice which will open in the Fall semester of 2019.

Tyner stated that she misses the podium and is looking forward to being in the classroom once again with students. St. Thomas’ dean and Mengler chair in law stated Tyner is the perfect candidate to lead the center. Check Tommiemedia.com for the full story.

Los Angeles police have arrested a suspect in the shooting of musician Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom. The suspect, Eric Holder, 29, was arrested 20 miles away from the rapper’s South Los Angeles clothing store Tuesday.

Police Chief Michel Moore stated the two men were believed to have known each other and were in a personal dispute on Sunday, March 31, only hours before the shooting occured. Asghedom previously stated he was previously a gang member and Holder is known to also be gang affiliated. However, Moore believes gang rivalries played no role in the shooting.

Holder is currently being held in solitary confinement, he is scheduled to be in court sometime this week with bail being posted a little over $7 million.

Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu.