Stories by Paul Caine
Driving While Stoned: Police Still Lack Reliable Test
| Paul Caine
As the legalization of recreational marijuana approaches, police have no reliable test for whether a person is driving under its influence. What science tells us about marijuana use and safe driving.
Chicago Police Publish New Data on Civilian Complaints
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department on Monday released data on each of the 40,497 total officer misconduct complaints filed between January 2007 and February 2019. What that data shows.
Crain’s Headlines: Ousted McDonald’s CEO ‘Demonstrated Poor Judgement’
| WTTW News
In an email to employees, former McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook acknowledged he had a relationship with an employee and said it was a mistake. He had been CEO since 2015.
Farmer’s Love of Trees Leads to Lifelong Hunt for Heirloom Apples
| Jay Shefsky
When Al Westerman’s grandparents bought a farm in Northern Illinois in 1911, it came with a house, a barn and an apple orchard. Now, he collects heirloom apple trees and grows more than 100 varieties.
A Breathtaking Rendering of Beethoven, and a Richly Sonic New ‘Dream’
| Hedy Weiss
Together with the brilliant musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Riccardo Muti and violinist Leonidas Kavakos launched into an absolutely spellbinding performance of Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto in D Major.”
Juvenile Charged with Shooting Chicago Trick-or-Treater, 7
| Associated Press
A 15-year-old boy was charged Friday night with attempted murder in the suspected gang-related shooting of two people on Chicago’s West Side, including a 7-year-old girl out trick-or-treating.
McDonald’s CEO Pushed Out After Relationship With Employee
| Associated Press
McDonald’s chief executive officer has been pushed out of the company after violating company policy by engaging in a consensual relationship with an employee, the corporation said Sunday.
Science Says: How Daylight Saving Time Affects Health
| Associated Press
As clocks tick toward the end of daylight saving time, many sleep scientists and circadian biologists are pushing for a permanent ban because of potential ill effects on human health.
Google Steps Into Fitness, Buys Fitbit for $2.1 Billion
| Associated Press
Google, the company that helped make it fun to just sit around surfing the web, is jumping into the fitness-tracker business with both feet.
The Week in Review: 11-Day Teachers Strike Comes to an End
| Nick Blumberg
Chicago teachers return to school. A state lawmaker resigns after a federal bribery charge. Trump knocks Chicago during his first visit to the city as president. And the David Ross era begins for the Cubs.
Strike-Ending Deal Will Shape Chicago Schools for Years
| Associated Press
Chicago teachers and more than 300,000 students affected by an 11-day strike returned to classrooms Friday amid a tentative agreement that is expected to shape education in the city for the next five years.
AP-NORC Poll: More Support Than Oppose Impeachment Probe
| Associated Press
More Americans approve of the impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump than disapprove of it, though only about a third say the inquiry should be a top priority for Congress, according to a new poll.
Rubber Pieces Found in Cookie Dough Prompt Nestle Recall
| Kristen Thometz
More than two dozen Nestle cookie dough products are being recalled due to the potential presence of rubber pieces, according to an announcement by the Food and Drug Administration.
CPD Releases New Crime Data as Trump Again Attacks Eddie Johnson
| Matt Masterson
On the same day the Chicago Police Department unveiled its latest crime data showing downward trends in 2019, President Donald Trump on Twitter blasted the city’s “crime wave” under Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
Police Seek Gunman in Halloween Shooting That Critically Injured Child
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson condemned the Thursday shooting that critically injured a 7-year-old trick-or-treater. “I’m disgusted, but committed to doing everything we can to find the cowards who engaged in a gun battle in the early evening hours while children were trick-or-treating,” he said.
Cook County Health CEO Calls on Other Hospitals to Increase Charity Care
| Kristen Thometz
The mission of Cook County Health is to provide care to all county residents regardless of their ability to pay, but years of increased demand for charity care is taking its toll on the health system, according to CEO Dr. John Jay Shannon.
Hedy Weiss Reviews ‘A Doll’s House,’ ‘I’m Lenny Bruce’ and More
| Marc Vitali
There are many treats on Chicago stages these days. Theater critic Hedy Weiss joins us with her latest roundup.
Labrador Sworn in at State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago
| Associated Press
It was a real dog of a ceremony this week during a swearing-in at the state’s attorney’s office in Chicago.
Report: Trump Surveyed Donors on Freeing Blagojevich
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump has again broached the idea of freeing former Illinois governor and one-time “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Rod Blagojevich from a Colorado federal prison, where he is in his seventh year of a 14-year prison term for political corruption.
In the Zooniverse, Everyone Can Be a Scientist
| Paul Caine
In a world in which scientific literacy is often lacking, the online platform Zooniverse.org is doing what it can to encourage “people-powered research.”
Mickey Alice Kwapis Wants You to Love Taxidermy As Much As She Does
| Jay Shefsky
Mickey Alice Kwapis knows that she doesn’t fit most people’s idea of what a taxidermist looks like. And she is trying to change that.
Bears Face Eagles in Rematch of Playoff Loss
| Crystin Immel
The Chicago Bears (3-4) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) on Sunday in a rematch of last season’s playoff game. Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams gives us a preview.
Democrats Push Impeachment Rules Package Through House
| Associated Press
Democrats swept a rules package for their impeachment probe of President Donald Trump through a divided House on Thursday. The chamber’s vote highlighted the partisan breach the issue has only deepened.
Crain’s Headlines: Lobbying Activities of Exelon, ComEd Under Investigation
| WTTW News
The Securities and Exchange Commission has opened an investigation of Exelon and ComEd’s lobbying activities. The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago also is probing the lobbying practices of the two companies in Illinois.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Deep Tunnel Reservoirs Nearly Full as Chicago Region Pounded With Rain Over Holiday Weekend
Who Is Running, or Thinking About Running, to Become Chicago’s Next Mayor
Bipartisan Housing Bill Still Awaits Trump’s Signature. Here’s What the Bill Would Do
Chicago’s Pension Debt Increased in 2025 to $36.4B: City Analysis
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter