Stories by Kristen Thometz
Tavis Smiley to Host Town Hall in Chicago on Sexual Misconduct
| Kristen Thometz
The broadcaster whose show was suspended indefinitely by PBS in December amid allegations of sexual misconduct will moderate a panel Thursday at St. Sabina Church on the city’s South Side.
Rauner Speaks of Bipartisanship, Democrats Don’t Believe It
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner gives his election year State of the State speech, but Democrats – and even some Republicans – cast doubts on the sincerity of his message.
Jackson Park Community Tees Off on Tiger Woods Golf Course
| Paris Schutz
Chicago Park District officials presented new details Wednesday on a plan to build a Tiger Woods-designed golf course next to the proposed Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Will it benefit the surrounding community?
‘White Like Her’ Memoir Details Hidden Heritage
| Andrea Guthmann
Local mystery writer Gail Lukasik unveils her own startling family mystery in her new memoir.
Social Media Scams: Public Figures Under Fire for Buying Fake Followers
| Evan Garcia
The Chicago Sun-Times suspends Richard Roeper for allegedly buying social media followers. What exactly is a Twitter bot?
Deconstructing President Trump’s Infrastructure Plan
| Alexandra Silets
In his first State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass his $1.5 trillion plan to “rebuild our crumbling infrastructure.” But how far will that money go?
Magic Realism in Paintings by Chicago’s ‘Queen of Bohemian Artists’
| Marc Vitali
Gertrude Abercrombie is a one-of-a-kind Chicago artist. Though she has been gone for 40 years, she is now getting a rare show at the Elmhurst Art Museum.
State Legislators Override Rauner Veto of School Funding Revisions
| Matt Masterson
State legislators override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of a trailer bill to the state’s new evidence-based funding formula. But school districts awaiting new state equity funding will still have to wait to get those dollars, according to one bill sponsor.
Trader Joe’s Responds to Concerns About ‘Inhumane’ Pork Suppliers
| Alex Ruppenthal
The grocery store chain says it is evaluating its supply chain “to see where additional change is needed” in response to public concerns over pork suppliers who confine pigs to tight metal crates.
Group Calls on McDonald’s to Honor Vow for Antibiotic-Free Beef, Pork
| Alex Ruppenthal
The Chicago-based fast food chain agreed last year to work toward phasing out antibiotics from its beef and pork products. An Illinois nonprofit now wants McDonald’s to commit to a timeline to meet that goal.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 1-4
| Kristen Thometz
Arm wrestling, hot chocolate-inspired treats, freakish performances and a salute to Langston Hughes usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
State of the State Preview: Bipartisan and Blows
| Amanda Vinicky
Even as Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to call for bipartisanship Wednesday, a source with knowledge of the speech says he will call for legislation that takes direct aim at House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Viewer Feedback: ‘We Must Develop Public Transportation’
| Jay Smith
Our story about so-called “congestion pricing” has a lot of you talking. We read comments from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
$107 Billion Borrowing Plan Could Save State Pensions
| Paris Schutz
Lawmakers consider a radical new proposal to solve the state’s massive pension crisis. Why they think it’s the best way to go.
The Amazon Race: What HQ2 Win Would Mean for Chicago
| Andrea Guthmann
Chicago may be on Amazon’s top 20 list, but what will it take to win it all – and at what cost?
Rare Triple Lunar Treat Includes Eclipse, Blood Moon
| Eddie Arruza
If the skies over Chicago cooperate over the next 12 hours, the moon will offer a very rare triple feature.
Chinese Scientists Cloned Monkeys. Are Humans Next?
| Evan Garcia
China’s landmark cloning of primates has some worried it sets a dangerous precedent. We discuss the breakthrough – and what it could mean for the future of cloning.
Duerson Act Debate: Who Should Decide on Tackle Football for Kids?
| Erica Gunderson
Former pro football players are joining the effort to ban tackling in youth football. We talk pros and cons of the newly introduced Duerson Act.
Sue the T. Rex Begins Move Upstairs Next Week at Field Museum
| Alex Ruppenthal
The Field Museum’s famous dinosaur will be moved to the second floor as part of a planned makeover, and to make room for the eventual installation of a touchable cast of the largest dinosaur ever discovered.
Education Equity Group Calls for Community Referendum on NTA Transition Plan
| Matt Masterson
A local group focused on ending racial and class-based school segregation is asking the Chicago Board of Education to review alternative proposals to CPS’ plan to transform a high-performing Near South Side elementary into a high school.
Risk of Getting the Flu Remains High in Chicago
| Kristen Thometz
City health officials remind residents it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine. “This is a serious year,” said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita.
CTU Members Approve Merger With Charter School Teachers Union
| Matt Masterson
More than two-thirds of CTU voting members cast ballots in favor of merging with the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff. “We've embraced our common struggle to support our workers, our students, their parents and our neighborhoods,” CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey said.
Rauner, Ives Get Heated in Only Primary Matchup
| Amanda Vinicky
The Republican candidates for governor squared off Monday for the first, and potentially only, time.
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