Shoppers aren’t the only ones competing with sharp elbows on Black Friday. Retailers are jockeying to make big sales this weekend as holiday shopping ceremonially kicks off, because even if stores are crowded the day after Thanksgiving, projections for the rest of the season are dim.

Store managers at Stratford Square Mall said crowds today have been busier than expected.
 

Elmhurst resident Lisa Sons has only been training show dogs for four years but can already an boast a Best in Show dog.

When Florida police officer Wayne Ivey was growing up, his father told him there were two things he needed to be successful in life: a good name and good credit.