Stories by Associated Press
First COVID-19 Vaccine Tested in US Poised for Final Testing
| Associated Press
The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the U.S. revved up people’s immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday -- as the shots are poised to begin key final testing.
Trump Administration Rescinds Rule on Foreign Students
| Associated Press
The decision was announced at the start of a hearing in a federal lawsuit in Boston brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
An Exit Interview With Police Department’s First Deputy Superintendent
| Amanda Vinicky
Anthony Riccio, the Chicago Police Department’s second-in-command, is retiring. The move comes as police departments nationwide are under the microscope — including in Chicago.
Push to Legalize Coach Houses, Granny Flats Stalls Amid Opposition From Aldermen
| Heather Cherone
An effort to ease Chicago’s affordable housing crisis by permitting coach house dwellings stalled Friday amid opposition from aldermen concerned they would not be able to stop unwanted units from being built in their wards.
Newly Discovered Comet NEOWISE is Streaking Across the Sky and Giving Us Life
| Patty Wetli
The comet has been delighting sky gazers across the globe. Catch it now, because it won’t swing back our way for another 6,800 years.
Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Trauma to Curb Gun Violence in Chicago
| Marissa Nelson
While the Chicago Police Department is increasing its community policing efforts, a new behavioral health task force on the West Side is convening to address trauma as a root cause of violence.
The Debate Over Police in Chicago Public Schools
| Quinn Myers
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools leadership say the decision to remove police officers from schools should lie with individual local school councils. Now, some schools are taking action.
Reopened Museum Looks at Power of Resistance in Puerto Rico
| Marc Vitali
The Museum of Contemporary Photography is rolling out resistance. That’s the theme of their long-delayed show that just opened on the Columbia College campus in the Loop. We go for a look.
Former Meatpacking Plant to Host Vegan Farmers Market
| Patty Wetli
Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen has found a new home for its farmers market — Vegan Paradise — at Bubbly Dynamics’ The Plant, a former meat processing facility in Back of the Yards.
Freeze on Development Along 606 Trail Extended for 6 Months Amid Pandemic
| Heather Cherone
Aldermen unanimously agreed Tuesday to ban demolitions near the 606 Bloomingdale Trail for another six months as aldermen craft a measure to blunt rapid gentrification along the popular trail.
City Colleges Launches Debt Forgiveness Program to Offer Former Students a ‘Fresh Start’
| Matt Masterson
Students held back by debt who dropped out of the City Colleges of Chicago system before completing their studies can now re-enroll and finish their degrees through a relief program that promises to forgive those unpaid dues.
Aldermen Advance Revised Measure to Give Some Tenants More Notice Before Evictions
| Heather Cherone
A significantly revised measure that would give long-term renters more notice before they are evicted without cause cleared a key city panel Tuesday after progressive aldermen stalled its passage for a month.
Pritzker Says He Won’t Hesitate to Reimpose COVID-19 Restrictions
| Kristen Thometz
“I will not hesitate to reimpose some mitigations if we see (coronavirus) numbers moving upward,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday. “My concern again is all about the health and safety of the people of Illinois.”
Lightfoot Orders Visitors to Chicago from Iowa and Oklahoma to Quarantine for 2 Weeks
| Heather Cherone
The 14-day quarantine order currently covers travelers to Chicago from 15 states, including California and Florida. Starting Friday, it will also apply to those coming from Iowa and Oklahoma, according to the mayor’s office.
Officials Offer 2-Week Reprieve For Those Who Don’t Have City Stickers
| Heather Cherone
Chicago residents who don’t have a city sticker will get another two weeks before they risk seeing that dreaded bright orange envelope on their windshields.
Lessons of Deadly 1995 Heat Wave Echo in 2020 Chicago
| Erica Gunderson
A look back at Chicago’s deadly heat wave — and how it compares to the coronavirus pandemic — with Eric Klinenberg, author of the 2002 book, “Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago.”
Trump Pressures Schools to Reopen But Many CPS Teachers Fearful of Classroom Return
| Paul Caine
President Donald Trump is pressuring schools to fully reopen in the fall. But as many teachers, parents and even some students are expressing fears over returning to school, cases of COVID-19 are rising across the country.
Infectious Disease Expert: Better National Leadership Needed to Fight COVID-19
| Kristen Thometz
COVID-19 numbers are rising nationally to startling new highs. Cases in the city and state are also climbing. What’s going on? We check in with Dr. Emily Landon of UChicago Medicine.
‘Noble Army’ Makes Thousands of Face Shields for Health Care Workers
| Jay Shefsky
Personal protective gear is often in short supply, but a group of people in the Chicago area have made a serious dent in that shortage. And, as we found out, they were inspired by “Chicago Tonight.”
A Virtual Visit to a Luminous Collection of Spiritual Art
| Marc Vitali
A private tour of a collection of artistic treasures with a spiritual focus. Our latest “virtual visit” is a look at artwork designed to inspire.
Plover Chicks Have Names: Introducing Hazel, Esperanza and Nish
| Patty Wetli
More than 500 names were submitted for the chicks, which hatched in June, and the selected monikers reflect the history and spirit of Chicago.
Sounding a ‘Distress Signal,’ Lightfoot Warns Chicago is Falling Behind on Census Response
| Heather Cherone
Approximately 55% of Chicagoans have so far responded to the 2020 census, but that is “not even close to where we need to be,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. Now, she’s enlisting a familiar face to help with outreach.
Chicago Police Add Language Access Coordinator to Better Engage Non-English Speakers
| Matt Masterson
To better communicate with residents who have limited English proficiency, the Chicago Police Department has hired Roxana Cortes, a former Chicago Public Schools translation specialist.
Got Maskne? Tips to Prevent, Treat Acne Under Your Mask
| Kristen Thometz
Wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer can take a toll on your skin. A local dermatologist shares tips to preventing and treating ailments like “maskne.”
Ald. Carrie Austin Announces She Has the Coronavirus
| Heather Cherone
In a message addressed to “residents and neighbors,” the alderman, who represents the Far South Side’s 34th Ward, said she is “currently progressing toward a full recovery.”
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