Stories by Associated Press
US Rescinds Global ‘Do Not Travel’ Coronavirus Warning
| Associated Press
The Trump administration on Thursday rescinded its warnings to Americans against all international travel because of the coronavirus pandemic, saying conditions no longer warrant a blanket worldwide alert.
‘Ducks on the Mag Mile’ Celebrates Special Olympics Illinois
| Angel Idowu
The pandemic is forcing Special Olympics Illinois to conduct their annual Duck Derby a little bit differently this year. But there is one tradition that remains the same.
Coronavirus Pandemic Not Slowing Pedestrian Deaths in Chicago
| Nick Blumberg
So far this year, 21 pedestrians have been killed by drivers, according to city data and media reports. That puts Chicago on pace to match last year’s 40 pedestrian deaths
Ask Geoffrey: A Brief History of Chicago’s Coach Houses
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer shares the history of Chicago’s original tiny houses – coach houses – in this installment of Ask Geoffrey.
City Colleges Staffers Threaten Strike Over In-Person Learning Plan
| Matt Masterson
The Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600, which represents nearly 2,000 CCC staffers, has an emergency meeting Friday to discuss a no-confidence vote, which could lead to a safety strike later this month.
1.2 Million Seek Jobless Aid After $600 Federal Check Ends
| Associated Press
It is the 20th straight week that at least 1 million people have sought jobless aid. Before the pandemic hit hard in March, the number of Americans seeking unemployment checks had never surpassed 700,000 in a week.
Meet the Chicago Woman Who Spent 800 Hours Swimming With Sharks, Without Leaving Home
| Patty Wetli
Shedd Aquarium volunteer Betty Goldberg took citizen science to the next level, contributing a massive number of hours to a global survey of reef sharks.
Clean Energy Advocates Hope to Capitalize on ComEd Backlash
| Amanda Vinicky
A major clean energy package had been one of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s goals for 2020, but that got pushed aside because of the pandemic, and waylaid after a bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison came to light.
Spotlight Politics: Chicago Public Schools Goes Remote
| Alexandra Silets
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday that Chicago Public Schools is moving to a fully remote schedule this fall. Our politics team of Amanda Vinicky, Paris Schutz and Heather Cherone digs into that story and more in this week’s roundtable.
US Rep. Rodney Davis Tests Positive For COVID-19
| Amanda Vinicky
A central Illinois congressman who’d planned to spend all week touring communities across his district will instead finish it in self-isolation after testing positive Wednesday for COVID-19.
State Rep. Calls for Pause on Teaching History in Illinois Schools
| Erica Gunderson
Is it time to abolish, or radically alter the way history is taught in Illinois schools? A debate over how the subject is taught.
Preckwinkle: 2020 on Pace to be Worst Year for Suicides in Black Community in a Decade
| Kristen Thometz
More African Americans in Cook County have died by suicide this year than during all of 2019, with a notable increase among young people, according to county officials. “This is horrifying,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.
Advocates Host Virtual Vigil to Honor Slain Homeless Man, Demand Housing Resources
| Kristen Thometz
Advocates hosted a virtual candlelight vigil Wednesday morning to honor Aaron Curry, who was killed last month while living in Grant Park, and to call on the city of Chicago to dedicate an additional $100 million annually to housing resources.
City Officials Begin Using State’s Method to Calculate Key Metric Used to Track Coronavirus
| Heather Cherone
Chicago officials have begun using the state’s method to calculate the single most important benchmark for tracking the spread of the coronavirus — positivity rates — as confirmed cases of the virus continue to rise statewide.
Pritzker: Without Local Action to Stop COVID-19 Spread, More Restrictions Could Come
| Kristen Thometz
With coronavirus cases rising, Gov. J.B. Pritzker implored local officials to take action to stop the spread of the virus and warned if they don’t, more stringent regulations could be on the way, including another stay-at-home order.
Biden Won’t Go to Milwaukee to Accept Democratic Nomination
| Associated Press
Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic presidential nomination because of concerns over the coronavirus, party officials said Wednesday, signaling a move to a convention that essentially has become entirely virtual.
CPS Will Start School Year on Sept. 8 With Remote Learning, Officials Announce
| Heather Cherone
Chicago Public Schools will start the school year on Sept. 8 the same way they ended the last academic year — with all students taking classes remotely, officials announced Wednesday.
Massive Beirut Blast Kills More Than 70, Injures Thousands
| Associated Press
A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the city’s port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky.
You’ve Got Mail: 5 Things to Know About Voting by Mail
| Amanda Vinicky
Voting by mail in Illinois isn’t new, but amid the pandemic, the state is encouraging voters to cast their ballots by mail rather than in person. But how do you go about that — and is it safe? Here’s what you need to know.
Lightfoot Mural Creates Landmark for South Side Neighborhood
| Angel Idowu
When a local real estate agent decided to commission a mural, he chose to include a prominent figure who has made history as the first black woman to become mayor of Chicago. We visit South Shore for a look.
CPS Planning All-Remote Learning For Fall, Sources Say
| Nick Blumberg
Sources tell WTTW News that CPS will announce an all-remote learning plan for the fall as soon as Wednesday, reversing plans for a hybrid model of at-home and in-person learning. Two Chicago aldermen weigh in on this and more.
Life After COVID-19: What Will it Look Like?
| Alexandra Silets
What will life, concerts, the workplace and education look like in a post-COVID-19 world? A futurist and a University of Chicago epidemiologist weigh in.
Democrats, Republicans ‘Miles Apart’ on Unemployment Insurance Deal, Says Bustos
| Paul Caine
As cities and states across the nation struggle to get control of COVID-19, members of Congress butt heads over another stimulus package. Illinois U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos weighs in on those topics and more.
Mercy Hospital’s Plans to Close Resurface Concerns on South Side
| Marissa Nelson
Mercy Hospital announced plans to shut its doors by June 2021. Now, concerns of a health care desert on the South Side are resurfacing as residents prepare to find new providers.
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