Afternoon Briefing: Johnson confident DNC will go smoothly despite recent demonstrations

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson today disputed the notion his administration is unprepared for the Democratic National Convention and is suppressing protests, amid a nationwide spotlight on Pro-Palestinian university demonstrations that some fear are an indication of chaos to come for Chicago this summer.

The University of Chicago is preparing to “intervene” to remove the pro-Palestine encampment from the school’s Main Quadrangle, president Paul Alivisatos said today, claiming student protestors have created a “systemic disruption” on campus.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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Illinois cicadas, loud but harmless, expected to make historic emergence in mid- to late May

Reports of sightings are likely individual “stragglers” that have come out too early or from people who have taken a shovel to the ground. Read more here.

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Chicago area’s independent bookstores see revival

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Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese embrace ‘finally’ being teammates — and they want to set a new tone on the boards

Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso are confident in their newfound partnership as rookie teammates with the Chicago Sky. Read more here.

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Arrests of Israel-Hamas war protesters exceed 2,300 as police clear more US campus encampments

Police ordered pro-Palestinian protesters to abandon a tent encampment at New York University early today, following weeks of demonstrations and police crackdowns at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in more than 2,300 arrests. Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

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