Meet outreach workers trying to keep their communities safe. And a push to expand Chicago’s violence prevention efforts hits an inflection point.

Peacekeepers across the city play an important role in interrupting and preventing violent crime in neighborhoods. These leaders are strategizing and organizing in their communities every day to improve safety and make a difference.

Some officials are pushing for policies to address root causes of violence and help offenders repair their relationships with their communities.

As the federal workforce is undergoing layoffs, buyouts and changing policies, WTTW News is looking to hear directly from those impacted. If you have a story to share, or you just want to pass along your contact information, we are eager to hear from you.

“At a time of such political division, Americans need to find common ground,” said Dr. Scott Oakes, who studies the role of cells in diseases at the University of Chicago. “We should all agree that medical research is one of those areas where we can all come together.”

Reports of wild bird deaths continue to mount, and not just in Illinois. Meanwhile, a vaccine for chickens could be on the horizon.

“He has stuck a middle finger in the face of the American people,” U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (14th District) said, “and it’s unacceptable.”

The firings appeared to focus on employees in the agency’s centers for food, medical devices and tobacco products — which includes oversight of electronic cigarettes. It was not clear whether FDA employees who review drugs were exempted.

Common signs of autism include trouble with social communication and a fixation on certain routines or topics and may go unnoticed during someone’s childhood. It can be costly and difficult to obtain an autism diagnosis later in life.

The move comes less than three weeks since the midair collision over Washington, DC, that killed 67 people and that highlighted shortages of air traffic controllers and FAA infrastructure issues.

Leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Union arrived at the Elysee Palace for talks on Europe’s security quandary. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is also attending.

Sub-zero wind chills will be the norm until Friday.

Those who advocate for the restorative justice model say reducing the types of cases that are referred would cut back on the rehabilitation opportunities. The State’s Attorney’s Office says they prefer alternative approaches that move away from the peace circle and instead toward gun education and a path toward FOID cards.

As Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency team muscle through Washington, D.C., on a mission to cut spending, a Republican state legislator said Illinois could take a cue.

Illinois corruption takes center stage as Michael Madigan is convicted of bribery and Rod Blagojevich gets a pardon. Plus, why a project to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes is on hold.