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A new wrongful death lawsuit accuses a St. Louis police officer of fatally shooting a teenager last year who was running away from a car that was believed to be stolen.

by Bianca Fortis

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Columbia University has agreed to a $750 million settlement with 576 patients of a former doctor who sexually abused them while working at the school.

In 2023, a ProPublica investigation, published with New York Magazine, revealed how Columbia had ignored women, undermined prosecutors and ultimately protected a predator. Obstetrician-gynecologist Robert Hadden worked at the university for 20 years despite decades of complaints about him.

The university had even cleared Hadden to see patients three days after he was arrested when a patient called 911 to report that he had assaulted her during a postpartum exam. University higher-ups had been informed of the arrest but allowed Hadden to continue working for another five weeks. Patients he saw during that time also reported being assaulted.

The latest settlement, combined with payouts from previous cases, means that Columbia will have paid out more than $1 billion to resolve claims of sexual abuse by Hadden. Columbia also said that it has now settled more than 1,000 claims of sexual abuse by Hadden’s former patients.

Hadden was convicted of sex crimes in federal court in January 2023 and is now serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Laurie Kanyok, the patient who called 911, said the settlement is bittersweet. “It’s emotional because it’s been 13 years,” she told ProPublica.

She also said that financial compensation does not amount to justice.

“I’m grateful that I’m involved in this,” Kanyok said. “At the same time, I feel like I want to see people held accountable and not just somebody’s insurance company or checkbook.”

Unlike in other high-profile cases involving sexual abuse by doctors, no administrators from Columbia have been fired or have stepped down as a result of the Hadden case.

In a statement, Columbia acknowledged failing to protect Hadden’s patients. “We deeply regret the pain that his patients suffered, and this settlement is another step forward in our ongoing work and commitment to repair harm and support survivors,” the statement said. “We commend the survivors for their bravery in coming forward.”

The latest settlement puts Columbia on par with the largest payout ever by a university to settle sexual abuse claims. In 2021, the University of Southern California agreed to pay $1.1 billion to survivors of George Tyndall, a university gynecologist who abused thousands of women.

Anthony DiPietro, the attorney who handled most of the Columbia claims, said the lesson from this week’s settlement is clear: Institutions “cannot continue to cover up sexual exploitation and abuse by their doctors because they’re going to be held accountable.”

Weeks after ProPublica’s investigation, Columbia announced that it would set up a $100 million settlement fund for patients who did not want to file civil suits. Survivors have about another week, until May 15, to submit a claim.

As part of the same announcement, Columbia also said it would notify all of Hadden’s nearly 6,500 former patients of the doctor’s crimes and that it would commission an external investigation to examine failures that allowed the abuse to go on for so long.

Asked about the status of that investigation, which was announced a year and a half ago, the university said it is ongoing. Columbia did not give a time frame for the report’s completion.

GRANITE CITY – In April, Revity Credit Union came together to raise $2,900 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois through the Revity Threads of Kindness Program. This program, funded by employees, allows Revity Credit Union staff to embody the credit union's philosophy of people helping people. By contributing a monthly monetary donation to a local organization, employees can enjoy wearing jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays throughout that month. In 2025, Revity Credit Union is committed to impactful giving and community support, weaving kindness into the fabric of our daily lives and ensuring that every jeans day makes a difference. BBBSIL was nominated as the recipient of our April Threads of Kindness donation, receiving $2,900. April also marks Credit Union Youth Month. To celebrate with our members, Revity Credit Union offered stuffed Revels, which are miniature versions of Revity’s mascot. Each Revel was available for a $10 donation to

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Republic Services Inc., a recycling and waste collection business, said Thursday that it plans to build a new recycling center to serve the St. Louis region.

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SPRINGFIELD – Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois issued the following statement in response to the election of Pope Leo XIV. “With profound joy and deep gratitude to God, the universal Catholic Church celebrates the election of Pope Leo XIV, our new Holy Father! This moment fills the hearts of the faithful with renewed hope, as the Church receives a new Vicar of Christ, a shepherd to lead us in truth, charity, and love. We give thanks for Pope Leo's XIV’s humble acceptance of this sacred responsibility. “As people of faith, let us lift up Pope Leo XIV in prayer that he may be strengthened in wisdom, courage, and compassion as he begins his ministry. Let us also pray that under his leadership, the Church will continue to be a beacon of light in a world overshadowed by confusion, hatred, and violence. May he inspire within us a deeper commitment to the holy Eucharist, prayer, and the Gospel message, and spark greater unity

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EDWARDSVILLE - Ashley Ridler prioritizes her students. Ridler, a third grade teacher at Albert Cassens Elementary School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, shared that she decided to become a teacher so she could support her students’ growth and make sure they always had someone on their team. “I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to make a positive impact on children's lives and be a safe and supportive person for them,” she said. “I enjoy working with students because of the way they look at the world. They are so innovative, kind, and compassionate. They really make you look at the world differently!” Ridler is constantly inspired by her previous teachers and the teachers around her. She aspires to provide the same opportunities and love that her teachers gave to her. Because Ridler cares so deeply about each student, she tries to meet them where they’re at and give them the individualized support they nee

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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is the first American elected pope.

A St. Peters man died Wednesday afternoon after he lost control of his motorcycle while driving on Interstate 64.

Billy Idol’s latest album has landed on the Billboard charts.The rocker’s Dream Into It, his first full-length album since 2014’s Kings & Queens of the Underground, debuted at #7 on the Billboard…

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Today on TAP: In its very DNA, the Catholic Church in the U.S. is pro-immigrant. How, then, will Leo interact with Trump?

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