March 20 — Michael Ferro accused of sexual misconduct by 2 women

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HEADLINER – Tuesday March 20

Package bombings. Earlier today a package at a FedEx facility in Schertz, Tex., just northeast of San Antonio detonated containing nails and shrapnel and investigators are trying to figure out if its linked to the series of package bombings in Austin. According to reports, the package detonated as it was moving from one conveyor belt to another. This happened days after another explosion took place in the Austin area Sunday night where bikers, two white women, triggered a trip wire. Now investigators are saying its the work of a serial bomber with random targets. Due to the fact that the 2 dead victims of the first few attacks were black and a Latina woman who was injured with a package allegedly intended for a black family’s home, some are speculating it to be a hate crime. President Trump however has been relatively silent even via twitter of these incidents so far….Read more

MORE NEWS

• Micheal Ferro yesterday abruptly announced he would retire as chairman of Tronc, formerly Tribune publishing, and the unexpected move might be explained. Just hours after the announcement, accounts by two women in tech of alleged inappropriate sexual advances were made public. Founder of The Muse, Kathryn Minshew and an executive at manufacturing giant Ingersoll Rand, Hagan Kappler, have come forward detailing accounts of the inappropriate behavior exercised by the known tech entrepreneur. Even further, former employees from Splash and defunct The Grid described encounters that suggest an uncomfortable workplace for women. Ferro is married with two kids and a known face/figure in Chicago’s business and civic/philanthropic scene with board appointments at MSI, Field Museum, Northwestern University. tronchas issued a statement denying the allegations.

• In Chicago news: The primary elections will take place today. The polls will be open until 6pm. Here’s a 2018 Illinois Primary Voting Guide. A standoff in Rogers Park has ended peacefully after 6 hours where a woman called 911 that a man was holding her hostage at an apartment building in the 6800 block of North Sheridan Rd. The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has tied with Harvard University for the No. 1 spot among full time MBA programs. Northwestern’s Kellogg dropped to #6.

• Another high school shooting has taken place this morning. Authorities in Maryland are investigating a shooting at Great Mills High School which is on lockdown at the time of this report. Three people, including the shooter who is also a student are reported injured. Story developing.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Former Sex and The City actress Cynthia Nixon has announced her run for Governor of New York. Nixon, who made the rumor official on Twitter Monday will go up against incumbent, Governor Andrew Cuomo in the September 13 democratic primary.
• The Weinstein Company Holdings LLC has filed for voluntary bankruptcy as part of a deal with Dallas-based investment firm Lantern Capital that will purchase the assets of the film and TV studio. The chapter 11 filing late Monday means the Weinstein company will enter into a “stalking horse” agreement with an affiliate of Lantern Capital Partners. All nondisclosure agreements that prevented victims of alleged sexual misconduct byd Harvey Weinstein from talking about their experiences have been voided. Meanwhile, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered an investigation into why Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance at the time did not prosecute Harvey Weinstein when he was in possession of evidence he sexually assaulted model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez in 2015.

FASHION

• On Monday, former Louis Vuitton Men’s artistic director Kim Jones was named the new artistic director for Dior Homme ready to wear. This as Kris Van Assche exits the role at Dior to take up another as yet to be named role within the LVMH house. In other appointment news, LK Bennett has named Erica Vilkauls new CEO after the announcement that current CEO Darren Topp is stepping down from his position. Vikauls was previously interim chief executive of East and chief operating officer at Thomas Pink. 11 Honoré, an online plus size luxury retailer, has raised $8 million Series A funding led by Redpoint Ventures.

“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do. ”― Michael Phelps