Hey there, it’s Wednesday. This wisdom from Conan the Barbarian is getting me through the day. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago set for spring

A federal judge in Chicago today set April 27 as the tentative date for R. Kelly’s trial on allegations he sexually abused minors and conspired with two associates to pay off and intimidate witnesses. Derrel McDavid and Milton Brown are codefendants in the Chicago case.

A federal prosecutor said the trial could last three weeks.

The embattled R&B singer faces criminal charges in Illinois, New York and Minnesota.

Kelly’s lawyer said the multiple cases across so many jurisdictions will make his defense “difficult.” [WBEZ]

In the Chicago case, Kelly could face as many as 195 years in prison. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Illinois prison guards are accused of posting offensive Facebook messages

Two lawsuits are shining a light on offensive online posts from officers with the Illinois Department of Corrections. The posts contain homophobic, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and racist memes.

One lawsuit has been filed by Strawberry Hampton, a transgender woman who claims she was sexually assualted and beaten by officers at the downstate Pinckneyville Correctional Center. Hampton was released from prison in July.

John Mercks, one of the correctional officers named in Hampton’s lawsuit, shared several online memes that mock the transgender community, insult women and undermine claims of violent sexual assualt.

The Illinois attorney general’s office, which represents the three officers named in the lawsuits, declined to comment. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Death toll rises from Hurricane Dorian

At least seven deaths have been reported in the Bahamas, and officials believe the toll will climb as search and rescue efforts continue. The Bahamian government gave the all-clear signal this morning, three days after Dorian hit the islands.

Dorian has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 2 storm, but forecasters warn it remains dangerous, with maximum winds of 105 mph. The hurricane is moving parallel to Florida’s northeast coast, and forecasters say it could move near or over South Carolina and North Carolina tomorrow through Friday morning.

The storm has been challenging for forecasters, as Dorian has defied many projections of where it might hit in the U.S. [NPR]

4. Hong Kong leader makes concession to protesters

Hong Kong’s embattled leader, Carrie Lam, officially withdrew a bill that helped spark widespread protests in the semi-autonomous region.

The bill would have paved the way for suspected criminals to be extradited to mainland China. It was introduced three months ago, and Lam “suspended” the bill after pro-democracy protesters took to the streets over concerns that it would erode freedoms in Hong Kong.

It’s unlikely that Lam’s concession will end civil unrest. Protesters have voiced additional demands, such as holding direct elections for Hong Kong’s next leader and an independent investigation into police brutality against protesters. [NPR]

5. What is going on in the UK?

Political turmoil is escalating in Britain as the country has about two months before it must leave the European Union, a move commonly known as Brexit.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday lost his majority in Parliament, as members of his own Conservative Party defected in hopes of preventing a “no deal” Brexit, where Britain would exit the EU with no formal trade and migration agreements. A leaked government document warned that Britain could see medicine and fuel shortages if that scenario plays out.

The U.K. must leave the EU on Oct. 31, but a bill is advancing that would block Brexit unless a formal agreement is reached, thus averting the “no deal” scenario.

Johnson, meanwhile, has threatened to call national elections if that bill becomes law. [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

Chicago’s plan to provide free preschool to all 4-year-olds could come at a cost. [WBEZ]

Michigan became the first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes. [CNBC]

Researchers say about 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year. Half of it goes into Lake Michigan. [Chicago Tribune]

LeBron James wants to trademark “Taco Tuesday.” [New York Times]

Oh, and one more thing …

WBEZ and Comedy Central have teamed up on a new podcast called South Side Stories, which looks at the real-life people and places that inspired Comedy Central’s hit show South Side. The podcast is hosted by Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, as well as the creators, executive producers, writers and stars of South Side.

The first two episodes are out now. Take a listen and let us know what you think! [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

Kids are back in school, and I’d like to know what’s one of your favorite memories about going to school or college.

Rachel Ellsworth writes:

“Back to school shopping! There’s nothing like fresh, sharp crayons!”

And @duve tweets:

“Lunch. I went to Catholic school in a small Minnesota town for 1st thru 6th, and our school lunches were made by farmers’ wives who knew the score. All morning I’d smell the bread baking and couldn’t concentrate on Jesus or grammar. It was the ’80s but I’ll never forget.”

What’s one of your favorite memories of going to school or college? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet me at @whuntah.

Thanks for reading! Have a nice night, and I’ll see you tomorrow.