Report: CSU Didn't Boot Flunking Students to Boost Numbers

(CHICAGO) -- Chicago State University intentionally kept failing students enrolled to boost its poor retention numbers, according to an investigation by the Chicago Tribune.

The newspaper says it found evidence CSU allowed students to remain enrolled with grade-point averages as low as 0.0, despite a school policy enforcing the dismissal of any student with a GPA under 1.8.

CSU president Wayne Watson says his new administration is aware of the practices under the previous leadership, but that it's now a thing of the past.

"We believe it is wrong, we stopped it, we put in measures to assure that it never happens again going forward," said Watson. "It is totally inappropriate. It shouldn't have happened."

The Tribune reports the school dismissed 298 undergraduates at the end of this past spring term, just as the paper began its investigation.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Groupon.com Partners with CPS for School Supplies for Needy Kids

(CHICAGO) -- Chicago Public Schools has teamed up with daily deal site Groupon.com, to provide needy children with school supplies.

Starting on Tuesday through to Thursday, donations of at least $12 for school supply kits can be made through Groupon's website.

According to ABC 7 News, CPS received 6,000 kits containing pencils, notebooks, erasers among other supplies from Kits for Kidz, an organization in Woodbridge that assists low-income families. The kits, along with the ones donated on Groupon's site, will be distributed to students in low-income communities.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Salmonella-Tainted Papayas Sicken 17 in Illinois, FDA Warns

(WASHINGTON) -- The FDA is warning consumers about papayas from a Texas distributer that may have sickened 97 people with Salmonella agona across the country, including 17 people in Illinois, according to a press release.

Agromod Produce, Inc., which is based in McAllen, Texas, has been linked to the outbreak. The company has since recalled their papayas.

The FDA and the Center for Disease Control are investigating the reported cases.

Consumers with Agromod papayas are urged to dispose of them in sealed containers so no animals can consume them.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Man Arrested after Leaving ID in Cab He Allegedly Robbed

(CHICAGO) -- A forgetful 29-year-old man is behind bars after police say he left his ID in the back seat of a taxi he robbed at gunpoint last week.

Authorities say Antonio Crawford held a gun to cab driver's head and robbed him after he unsuccessfully tried to pay his fare with a stolen credit card.

The attack took place in the 1200 block of South Ashland around 6:35 p.m. July 19. Police had little trouble finding Crawford because he left his ID in the back seat of the cab. He was arrested Saturday.

Police have yet to announce what charges Crawford will face.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Teenager Killed in Hit-And-Run Accident

(CHICAGO) -- Family members of a teenager who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver asked the public for help in finding the driver.

Gabriella Drozdz, 18, was walking with friends along Church Street on their way to Alpine Fest on Friday night when a light-colored SUV swerved off the road and struck Drozdz and two friends. Drozdz was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The other two teenagers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Drozdz graduated from Lake Zurich high school early, in January, and had planned to study nursing in the fall.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio