Stories by Paris Schutz
Controversial Minister Louis Farrakhan Speaks at St. Sabina
| Paris Schutz
The Nation of Islam leader who was recently banned from Facebook spoke Thursday in a wide-ranging sermon that hit upon some of the anti-Semitic and black nationalist themes he has come to be known for.
Single Mother of 3 Successful Children Embraces ‘Power of Presence’
| Nicole Cardos
How to raise children to be successful adults? That’s the million-dollar question for every parent. A new book by Joy Thomas Moore has some suggestions.
Astronomers May Have Detected Neutron Star Being Consumed by Black Hole
| Paul Caine
If the discovery is confirmed, it would be the first evidence that black holes and neutron stars can pair up to form binary systems.
Emanuel Supports Retirement Income Tax, But is it Too Taxing on Seniors?
| Nicole Cardos
Outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel is the latest supporter of a retirement income tax. A look at the potential impact on Illinois, Chicago – and seniors.
‘We Made Uranium!’ Goes Inside Weird World of UChicago Scavenger Hunt
| Nick Blumberg
Elephants, uranium and the oddest wedding you’ve ever seen: A new book takes readers inside the unusual world of the University of Chicago scavenger hunt.
Congressional Members Urge EPA to Crack Down on Chicago Manganese Polluter
| Alex Ruppenthal
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are among those urging the EPA to take “immediate action” against Southeast Side industrial facilities for emitting potentially harmful levels of brain-damaging manganese dust.
Zero-Waste Advocate Shares Strategies for Reducing Trash
| Erica Gunderson
In many ways, modern American life is set up for convenience and speed – and that can generate a lot of garbage. What you can do at home to reduce your waste output.
Why One Musical Works, and Another Doesn’t
| Hedy Weiss
“Chicago, The Musical” holds the record as the longest-running American musical in Broadway history – and it’s a keeper. “August Rush: The Musical” is a New York-bred “tryout” production, and it just doesn’t work.
Loyola Research Paves Way for Simple Test for Ebola Virus
| Kristen Thometz
Existing tests for the deadly virus are inaccurate, expensive and can be challenging to administer, but new research from Loyola University Chicago could lead to a simple filter paper test that changes color if Ebola is present.
Fourth Victim of Waukegan Blast Identified, Friday Memorial Planned
| Associated Press
AB Specialty Silicones general manager Mac Penman on Thursday identified the final employee who died in the May 3 blast as 24-year-old Daniel Nicklas of Beach Park.
Spotlight Politics: Illinois Finds $1.5 Billion in Budget Money
| Paris Schutz
A new wrinkle on the age-old tale of Illinois’ pension mess. Our politics team digests the top stories of the week.
Video: ‘West Side Story’ Artists Perform at WTTW
| Marc Vitali
Three cast members from Lyric Opera’s “West Side Story” join us in conversation and performance.
Ask Geoffrey: What’s ‘Heinemann Studio’ Building in Back of the Yards?
| Erica Gunderson
When walking through Chicago’s older neighborhoods, you can often find hints about the history of the buildings just by looking up. Geoffrey Baer looks back – and up – at some architectural gems.
Former Ambassador Says US-Canada Relationship in Trouble
| Nicole Cardos
Canada is America’s most trusted ally, but that relationship is at risk. In their new book “The Art of Diplomacy,” a former U.S. ambassador to Canada and his wife explain.
South Side Home Movie Project Aims to Fill in Historical Gaps
| Nicole Cardos
A South Side native watches her long-forgotten home movies for the first time in 35 years. What was on them – and how the viewing was made possible.
R. Kelly Judgment Withdrawn After Lawyers Say He Can’t Read
| Associated Press
A Cook County judge on Wednesday reinstated a lawsuit against Kelly after his attorneys argued his illiteracy kept him from reading and responding to court documents he’d been served with.
Chinese Trade Negotiators Head to Washington After Trump’s Tariff Threats
| Evan Garcia
Following President Donald Trump’s threats of increased tariffs on roughly $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, Chinese negotiators plan to talk trade in Washington.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: May 9-12
| Kristen Thometz
A native plant sale, nerdy comedy, a craft fair and a house walk usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Officer Charged After ‘Inappropriate Contact’ With Women While On Duty
| Matt Masterson
A Chicago police officer has been arrested and charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts after he allegedly had inappropriate contact with three women on separate occasions.
How Shedd Aquarium Uses Egg Candling to Monitor Developing Penguin Chicks
| Alex Ruppenthal
In a process known as egg candling, the aquarium’s animal care staff use a high-powered light to observe the inside of growing penguin eggs to determine whether they are fertile and monitor their development.
Controversial Suburban Express Bus Line Abruptly Shuts Down
| Matt Masterson
A controversial Champaign-based bus company accused of discriminating against Asian customers has closed its doors for good. “I stopped enjoying this business around 2001,” company owner Dennis Toeppen wrote in a court filing this week.
Pump the Brakes: Uber, Lyft Drivers Strike
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago commuters seeking a ride Wednesday may have better luck hailing a cab than using their smartphones to call for a car, due to a multistate strike by some Uber and Lyft drivers.
Iran Threatens More Uranium Enrichment If No New Nuke Deal
| Associated Press
Iran threatened Wednesday to resume higher enrichment of uranium in 60 days if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for its 2015 nuclear deal a year after President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord.
Illinois Lawmakers Vow to Fix Lapses in Child Welfare System
| Associated Press
Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday took aim at the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, which has been haunted for decades by deaths wrought of abuse and neglect.
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