Stories by Matt Masterson
Chicago Police, Family Still Seeking Answers in Unsolved 2004 Homicide
| Matt Masterson
More than a decade after Kevin Clewer was stabbed to death inside his Lakeview apartment, his family and Chicago police are once again asking for help identifying his killer.
Woolsey Withdraws Fracking Permit, Citing ‘Burdensome’ Illinois Law
| Alex Ruppenthal
Two months after becoming the first company approved for fracking in Illinois, Woolsey Operating Company has withdrawn its permit.
The Week in Review: Chicago Lawmaker Says Trump Impeachment Imminent
| Alexandra Silets
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez says President Trump is “unfit to be president.” Security is stepped up in the wake of a fatal truck attack in New York City. Sex abuse allegations shake up Springfield. And Rod Blagojevich appeals to the Supreme Court.
Sexual Harassment Allegations Shine Light on Gaps in State Law
| Amanda Vinicky
As Springfield grapples with allegations of rampant sexual misconduct and harassment, lapses and flaws in the system for dealing with charges of harassment and other unethical behavior are rising to the surface.
Can Custom-Fit Football Helmets Protect Athletes From Brain Trauma?
| Amanda Vinicky
Football may be America’s favorite sport, but with the rising fear of brain injury and CTE, it’s taken a bruising. We visit a Chicago-area helmet maker to see how it’s tackling the issue.
Are We Alone? Giant New Telescopes Could Spot Alien Life
| Paul Caine
Thousands of planets orbiting alien suns, giant new telescopes coming online: Could we finally answer the question “Are we alone in the Universe?”
The Science Behind Fall Colors, Football and More
| Nick Blumberg
Autumn is not just pumpkin spice lattes and apple picking. Learn about the science behind the season with physicist Dr. Olivia Castellini.
Local News Site DNAinfo Shuts Down
| Paris Schutz
The local news websites DNAinfo Chicago and Chicagoist on Thursday ceased publication and abruptly shut down.
Cook County Jail Adapts to Better Address Mental Illness
| Evan Garcia
Cook County Jail wasn’t designed to be a psychiatric facility, but it’s turned into one of the largest mental health institutions in the country, says Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.
Fall Theater Highlights from Hedy Weiss: Goodman, Black Ensemble, More
| Marc Vitali
Chicago Sun-Times theater and dance critic Hedy Weiss shares her recommendations from Porchlight Music Theatre, Lookingglass, Goodman, Black Ensemble Theater and BoHo Theatre.
Ethics Commission Reports ‘No Cases’ Despite Dozens of Complaints
| Amanda Vinicky
Complaints against state lawmakers and legislative staff have been sitting in a binder for as long as three years, according to a legislator who sits on the commission charged with ruling on misconduct.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Visits Chicago, Pleads for Help for Puerto Rico
| Eddie Arruza
A Broadway superstar returns to Chicago to plea for help for his Puerto Rican homeland, and addresses a controversial tweet about the president.
Navy Pier Flyover Won’t Be Completed Until 2019. Why?
| Elizabeth Brackett
Chicagoans have watched the Navy Pier Flyover begin to take shape over the last three years. But the city recently pushed back the completion date to 2019. Frustrated cyclists and pedestrians are beginning to ask why.
Otis Wilson’s New Book Offers Stories From Locker Room, Sidelines
| Alexandra Silets
Otis Wilson was a key member of the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl team. He joins us to discuss his new book “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Chicago Bears Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box.”
House Republicans Delay Tax Overhaul Reveal
| Nick Blumberg
GOP lawmakers delay releasing their tax overhaul. Can legislators agree on cuts that meet the president’s demands?
Dead Fish, Turtles Recovered Following Bubbly Creek Oil Spill
| Alex Ruppenthal
Officials responding to last week’s oil spill in the South Branch of the Chicago River have recovered dead wildlife from the water, including 43 fish and four turtles. The source of the spill is still unknown, according to the EPA.
City Steps Up Environmental Protection Efforts As EPA Hobbled
| Paul Caine
After cutbacks at the EPA and skepticism within the Trump administration about climate change, the city of Chicago has made clear its intention to step up efforts to protect the environment.
South Loop Principal Told Teachers How to Answer School Survey: Email
CPS says conduct didn’t rise to level of disciplinary infraction
| Matt Masterson
A Chicago Public School principal whose school is in the process of constructing a $60 million expansion attempted to sway the answers of teachers on a 2017 survey measuring the overall quality of the school.
Joe Biden Sounds Alarm on Trump and Russia in Chicago Speech
| Paris Schutz
Former Vice President Joe Biden weighs in on the current state of affairs and on the threat posed by Russia during a speech in Chicago. Is he laying the groundwork for 2020?
Chicago, County Officials Take Action Against Opioid Epidemic
| Kristen Thometz
Local officials call for restrictions on opioid prescriptions as Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposes a $500,000 investment to fight the opioid epidemic.
Basketball Memories Help South Side Artist Paint ‘Honest’ Chicago Story
| Kristen Thometz
Basketball kept Max Sansing and his friends out of trouble, but when the rims were removed from neighborhood parks and schools, their lives were changed. Now Sansing is using old backboards to tell that story.
Earth Microbiome Project Seeks to Map Planet’s Microbial Diversity
| Kristen Thometz
Scientists say there are more bacteria in the ocean than stars in the universe, yet little is known about them. A new study outlines the “crazy idea” that led to a project described by one scientist as the “Google database for microbes.”
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 2-5
| Rebecca Palmore
Lady arm wrestlers, a massive art fair, sudsy brews and sea lions usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
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