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Passengers Sue United and Delta for Selling ‘Window’ Seats Next to Blank Walls
| Associated Press
The lawsuits allege that United and Delta long have been aware of consumer complaints posted on social media about the windowless seats yet continued charging extra for window seats without windows.
New Female Polar Bear Coming to Brookfield Zoo This Fall, Bringing Long Gestating Hope for Cubs With Her
| Patty Wetli
On Thursday, Brookfield Zoo announced that Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female, will be making the move from the Oregon Zoo to Chicago’s suburbs, where she’ll also be paired up with 5-year-old Hudson.
Trump Administration Reviewing All 55M People With US Visas for Potential Deportable Violations
| Associated Press
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, his administration has thus far focused on deporting migrants illegally in the United States as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas.
Some Outbound Kennedy Lanes to Reopen Next Week, But Expect Some Ramp Closures: IDOT
| Eunice Alpasan
Several overnight ramp and lane closures are scheduled to take place over the next week to facilitate the reopening of lanes on the north end of the work zone, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday.
Insurance Industry Opposes Regulation, Blames Inflation and Climate Change for Rate Hikes
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Robert Gordon, a senior vice president at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said property losses from natural disasters are common in Illinois, and they have been growing more frequent.
Applications Sought for Chicago’s Next Police Misconduct Agency Chief
| Matt Masterson
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced it has begun accepting applications for the role of chief administrator in the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Water Lilies Flex Their Muscles in Global Botanic Garden Weigh-Off Challenge. How Do Chicago’s Contestants Stack Up?
| Patty Wetli
Now in its third year, the Waterlily Weigh-Off has bulked up to more than 40 competitors across eight countries. The winner will be announced Aug. 28.
Ex-Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Settles Lawsuit Following His Firing Amid Hazing Allegations
| Matt Masterson
Former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald and his attorneys announced the “satisfactory settlement” Thursday, though terms of the agreement were not immediately known.
From a Timely Theater Festival to an Evening of Mexican Soul, Here Are 6 Arts Picks for This Week
| Marc Vitali
Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city’s must-see cultural events.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 20, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The head of the Chicago Teachers Union on the district’s budget deficit and more. And prison lockdowns are on the rise — we explore the reasons.
Illinois’ SNAP Education Program to End Amid Federal Funding Cuts. How That Could Impact Local Communities
| Abena Bediako
More than 1 million Illinois residents have benefitted from an educational program that teaches SNAP recipients about nutrition.
CTU President Rejects Pritzker’s Assertion No More Money to Be Found in Springfield for Schools
| Paul Caine
CPS is facing a $734 million shortfall with a deadline to pass a balanced budget coming next Friday, but the options facing CPS board members and the interim CEO appear to be narrowing.
Vehicle Emissions Testing Offered at Chicago South DMV as Part of Pilot Program
| Eunice Alpasan
The pilot is a partnership between the Illinois secretary of state and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Motorists are expected to test vehicle emissions every two years for cars older than four years.
What Happens During a Prison Lockdown? With Illinois Seeing Historic Highs, We Asked Incarcerated People
| Blair Paddock
Lockdowns can be indistinguishable from solitary confinement-like conditions, with those incarcerated given little yard time and limited access to educational programming and commissary.
NASCAR Returning to Joliet’s Chicagoland Speedway in 2026 Amid Pause in Chicago Street Race
| Matt Masterson
For the first time in seven years, NASCAR will be returning to the 1.5-mile speedway in Joliet with an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on July 4, 2026 and a Cup Series race scheduled for July 5.
Billboard for Proud Boys Hate Group Removed in Southern Illinois After Local Public Pressure
| Molly Parker — Capitol News Illinois
Clinton County Board Chairman Brad Knolhoff said the county had no legal authority to regulate the billboard’s content, but he and many others contacted the company, expressing their outrage.
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 20-26
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Mega Data Centers Could Drain Water Supplies in Great Lakes Region if Protections Aren’t Put in Place: Report
| Patty Wetli
A new report explores how unprecedented levels of consumption by heavy water users — namely “hyperscale” data centers — could lead to conflicts over and even shortages of water, even in the Great Lakes.
Aug. 19, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Local reaction to President Donald Trump’s effort to ban mail-in voting. And will a peace deal be reached between Russia and Ukraine?
New Leader of Chicago Council on Global Affairs Discusses America’s Foreign Policy Challenges
| Paul Caine
For more than 100 years, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has sought to play a positive role in helping to shape American foreign policy and its engagement with the world.
As Trump Vows to Eliminate Mail-In Voting, Illinois Elections Officials Say Fraud is ‘Extremely Rare’
| Matt Masterson
In Illinois, there are numerous security checks in place to ensure the accuracy and security of mail-in voting, according to Matt Dietrich, a spokesperson for the state’s Board of Elections.
Arts of Life Showcases 25 Years of Creativity and Opportunity for Artists With Disabilities
| Marc Vitali
Arts of Life is a place where creative people with intellectual and developmental disabilities produce works of art and earn an income. Now their colorful work fills the gallery at the Design Museum of Chicago in a group exhibition called “Community on the Make: Arts of Life 2000-2025.”
Hit With Flood Damage? Johnson Asks Chicagoans to Complete Survey While Calling for State, Federal Support
| Eunice Alpasan
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday blamed climate change and a poorly built water management system on the recent flooding impacting the West and Southwest sides.
Illinois Beekeepers Battle Losses, Costs to Keep Hives Buzzing
| Medill Illinois News Bureau
Bee loss is a persistent issue throughout the state. It’s not uncommon for beekeepers to lose over half of their colonies each year — primarily during winter — due to disease, competition, poor nutrition or limited resources.
US Pediatricians’ New COVID-19 Shot Recommendations Differ From CDC Advice
| Associated Press
The group’s new COVID-19 recommendations come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing.
A Texas Democrat Spent the Night in Legislature Protesting Police Shadowing in Redistricting Battle
| Associated Press
The Republican-controlled Texas House scheduled a vote for Wednesday on the new maps while California Democrats are retaliating by advancing their own new U.S. House boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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The Adams County Sheriff Has Been Cooperating With ICE. Does That Violate Illinois Law?
As Trump Vows to Eliminate Mail-In Voting, Illinois Elections Officials Say Fraud is ‘Extremely Rare’
Mega Data Centers Could Drain Water Supplies in Great Lakes Region if Protections Aren’t Put in Place: Report
Billboard Promoting Far-Right Group Proud Boys Pops Up in Southern Illinois
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