Down to the wire on a new city ward map, and some alderpeople are starting to speak out against casino locations. Plus, fallout from the RNC’s decision to avoid presidential debates, and the city’s top cop on ghost guns.

• 30 Days Left for City Council to Reach Deal on Chicago Ward Map
• Newton Minow On RNC Pulling Out of Presidential Debates Commission: ‘Debates Will Continue’
• American Library Association Director Says Book Bans Aim to ‘Suppress Social Change’
• Comedy Troupe Brings Mirth and Mariachi to Improv
• Crain’s Headlines: Ald. Pat Dowell Speaks Against Hard Rock Casino Proposal
• Chicago’s Top Cop Says CPD Needs to Build Trust, Engage with Community
• Science News: Fossil Could Rewrite History of Evolution; Birds Laying Eggs Earlier