Good afternoon. We could see temperatures in the 70s this week, and there’s a chance of more rain on Friday. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Five people are arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of an off-duty police officer

Five people have been taken into custody in connection to the fatal shooting of Areanah Preston, an off-duty police officer who was killed over the weekend while returning home from work, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

Four suspects were arrested following an armed standoff late last night, police said. One suspect, a 19-year-old man, was arrested in 2021 after being caught with a gun equipped with an extended magazine, according to court records.

Authorities say Preston was shot multiple times during a robbery around 1:42 a.m. on Saturday.

But it took more than 30 minutes for police to arrive at the scene after gunshots were detected by the city’s ShotSpotter gunshot surveillance system, reports the Sun-Times.

Another officer found Preston shot and radioed for help, according to a fire department spokesman. The officer then carried Preston to his squad car and rushed her to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she died, authorities said. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, friends and colleagues remembered Preston, who was pursuing a master’s degree in criminology from Loyola University Chicago and would have graduated this week, as someone with an infectious smile. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Early appointments show Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson may turn out to be a pragmatic progressive

We are a week away from the inauguration of Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, and his early appointments to several city positions may reveal how he will govern, reports my colleague Fran Spielman.

Those appointments “suggest Johnson may turn out to be a pragmatic progressive, more concerned about the art of the possible and getting things done than he is about staying true to ultra-liberal principles,” Spielman writes. [Chicago Sun-Times]

On that point — “getting things done” — Johnson has forged a plan to put his allies on key committees in the City Council and help advance his agenda.

This “Unity Plan” shrinks the number of committees from 28 to 20 and replaces Finance Committee Chairman Scott Waguespack (32nd) with Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), whose endorsement of Johnson was a turning point of his mayoral campaign. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Biden wants airlines to compensate passengers for canceled flights

Ahead of the busy summer travel season, the Biden administration today launched an effort at compensating travelers for canceled flights and preventable delays.

Those regulations could include forcing airlines to cover meals and hotel rooms for stranded passengers, NPR reports.

The Biden administration did not outline specific proposals today, only saying it’s launching an effort to hold airlines more accountable after widespread disruptions marred last summer and the winter holiday season.

As of right now, virtually no airline offers cash compensation in addition to refunds or amenities, according to the White House. [NPR]

4. How to help migrants arriving in Chicago

City officials are bracing for more migrants arriving from southern border states, setting off a scramble to secure housing and other resources.

Migrants are in need of basic necessities, the city says, and several organizations in Chicago are asking for donations. My colleagues at the Chicago Sun-Times put together a list for those looking to help. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, the Lightfoot administration hopes to use the shuttered Standard Club near the Dirksen Federal Building to house 761 asylum-seekers, a number that could grow to as many as 1,200 in the coming months. [Chicago Sun-Times]

At the southern border, officials are anticipating an influx of migrants as pandemic-era restrictions expire this week. [CNN]

5. Love is in the air at an iconic Chicago drive-in

The Chicago-area gem known as Superdawg, a 50s-style drive-in with two 12-foot tall hotdogs flirtatiously winking at each other, celebrates its 75th anniversary tomorrow.

And for three-quarters of a century, Superdawg has sparked romance, from first dates to surprise engagements, reports WBEZ contributor Ahmed Ali Akbar.

The drive-in is still run by the same family. Co-owner Don Drucker said he never heard of Superdawg until he went on a blind date with his now-wife, Lisa Drucker, who invited him over to the restaurant.

“It was kind of nutty here.” Don said. “I came during lunch on a Saturday.”

Lisa chimed in with a smile: “To see your girlfriend!” He agreed. Soon after they were married, he became part of the Superdawg family, now acting as co-owner alongside Lisa and her brother Scott. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• The U.S. defaulting on its debt would spell “economic calamity,” warned Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. [NPR]
• Seven horses died in the lead up to the Kentucky Derby, reigniting scrutiny of the sport. [NPR]
• Illinois isn’t reimbursing allegedly stolen SNAP benefits. [WBEZ]
• Newton Minow, who as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in the early 1960s famously decried the state of American television as a “vast wasteland,” died Saturday at age 97. [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

It’s an exciting time to be a video gamer. The highly anticipated Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom comes out Friday, six years after the critically acclaimed Breath of the Wild.

The New York Times has a great interactive feature that examines how the Zelda franchise has evolved since its first adventure in 1986 — and how it has impacted the industry.

“Zelda’s always focused on ‘what is actually cool about this as a game? Why is it fun?’’ said game designer Greg Lobanov. [New York Times]

Tell me something good …

Mother’s Day is Sunday. What’s your favorite memory of your mom?

Mine is every time the winter holidays approach, my mom decorates what seems like every inch of her house. One year there was a Christmas tree in every room. It’s amazing, and the nephews get a huge kick out of it.

Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.