Stories by Erica Gunderson
Black Women Among America’s Most Active Voters
| Erica Gunderson
Black women are considered the backbone of the Democratic Party, despite what advocates call a resurgence in voter suppression tactics. How they became a formidable force in U.S. elections.
Trump Claims He’s Free of Virus, Ready for Campaign Trail
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump on Sunday declared he was ready to return to the campaign trail despite unanswered questions about his health on the eve of a Florida rally meant to kick off the stretch run before Election Day.
COVID-19 in Illinois: 2,727 New Cases, 9 Additional Deaths
| WTTW News
State health officials reported more than 2,700 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday, bringing statewide totals to 319,150 cases and 8,984 deaths since the first infection was reported in Illinois in late January.
‘Black People Eats’ Showcases Black-Owned Restaurants in Chicago and Beyond
| Evan Garcia
Restaurants have not had it easy the past few months. But in Chicago, a food blogger is doing his best to elevate Black-owned restaurants through social media. We meet up with Jeremy Joyce, the founder of Black People Eats.
Doctor Says Trump Won’t Transmit Virus, Stays Mum on Tests
Trump Makes 1st Public Appearance Since His Hospital Stay
| Associated Press
The White House doctor said that President Donald Trump was no longer at risk of transmitting the coronavirus but did not say explicitly whether Trump had tested negative for it.
Trump’s Columbus Day Proclamation Includes Stark Warnings
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s proclamation Friday commemorating Columbus Day veered from a typical White House holiday announcement, with stark warnings of “radical activists” seeking to tarnish the explorer’s legacy.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Oct. 10, 2020 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Community members in Little Village fight to retain their cultural identity. The need for LGBTQ role models. And in La Ultima Palabra: closing the health disparity gap for Latinos.
La Ultima Palabra: Alice Setrini
| Erica Gunderson
The executive director of the Mary and Michael Jaharis Health Law Institute has the last word on closing the health disparity gap for Latinos.
Decoration Without Exploitation: Home Decor Items That Pay Artisans Fairly
| Erica Gunderson
How the local business Blossom Inspirations is building bridges between American and Latino cultures through artisan crafts.
Celebrating and Supporting Latino LGBTQ Youth
| Erica Gunderson
In honor of National Coming Out Day, we speak with a group that’s making sure young LGBTQ Latinos have role models in their communities.
Vision 2020: What Are the Rules Around Poll Watching?
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump has been urging his supporters to go the polls and “watch very carefully,” raising concerns about possible voter intimidation.
5 Things To Know About Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett
| Associated Press
Confirmation hearings begin Monday for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. If confirmed, the 48-year-old appeals court judge would fill the seat of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month.
Fall Fun: Pumpkin Patches, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes and More
| Patty Wetli
From apples and pumpkins to pig races, hay rides, petting zoos and beyond, we’ve rounded up some options for fall fun in the Chicago area.
The Week in Review: Virtual Trump-Biden Debate Canceled
| Nick Blumberg
After the president refuses to participate in a virtual debate, it is canceled by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The city faces a nearly unsolvable budget problem as federal stimulus talks break down. And the “fair tax” fight heats up.
2nd Presidential Debate Is Officially Canceled
| Associated Press
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed Friday that the Oct. 15 faceoff would be scrapped.
Illinois Court Dismisses Jason Van Dyke’s Appeal in Murder of Laquan McDonald
| Matt Masterson
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was convicted of second-degree murder of Black teen Laquan McDonald in 2014, is expected to be released in February 2022. While he remains in custody, it’s unclear where he will serve the remainder of his sentence.
Trump Sets Big Events for WH, Florida, Restarting Campaign
| Associated Press
Looking to shove his campaign back on track, President Donald Trump and his team laid out an aggressive return to political activities on Friday.
Man Charged with Attempting to Use Explosive Device at Naperville Restaurant
| Matt Masterson
Diego Vargas, 24, was charged in U.S. District Court in Chicago this week with a single count of maliciously attempting to damage and destroy a building by means of an explosive device.
Official Says Vaccine Expected in January, Countering Trump
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump has said at rallies, debates and press conferences that a vaccine could arrive within weeks. “We think we can start sometime in October,” Trump said at a White House press briefing last month.
The Search Is On For Chicago’s Official Christmas Tree
| Patty Wetli
Officials put out a call Friday for nominations for Chicago’s official Christmas tree. Pines need not apply.
COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted in Metro East Region of Illinois, Pritzker Announces
| Heather Cherone
Restrictions designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the Metro East area of Illinois near St. Louis will be lifted at 5 p.m. Friday after the number of confirmed cases has dropped significantly, state officials announced.
Extradition Fight Continues in Kenosha Protest Shootings
| Associated Press
Kyle Rittenhouse appeared on a video stream and wore a face mask during a brief court hearing Friday morning in Lake County, Illinois. Judge Paul Novak scheduled an Oct. 30 hearing on the extradition request.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Greater Grand Crossing
| Marissa Nelson
A pandemic, civil unrest and an increase in violence. How community organizations in Greater Grand Crossing are helping young people cope with adversity.
VP Debate Takeaways: Pandemic Looms Over a More Civil Fight
| Associated Press
In normal times, vice presidential debates don’t matter much. But in an election year as wild as 2020, everything is magnified. Here are key early takeaways from the only vice presidential debate ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day.
Local Community Leaders on Vice Presidential Policy Promises
| Amanda Vinicky
Health care, the environment and the economy were among the issues that got top billing Wednesday when the running mates of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden faced off at their sole debate.
Neo-Futurist Theater Stages the Lives of the First Ladies, From Martha to Melania
| Marc Vitali
We meet some of the first ladies – and the young theater makers who carry on the tradition of a theater troupe called the Neo-Futurists.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
As Chicago Swelters Under Heatwave, ComEd Asks Customers to Immediately Conserve Energy to Avoid Outages
Bill Awaiting Pritzker’s Signature Would Clear Hurdle for People Challenging Sentences on Crimes Committed When Under 21
Minimum Wage to Increase in Chicago, Suburban Cook County Starting July 1
U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to Cook County’s Assault Weapons Ban
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter