Stories by Associated Press
Joe Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley and the Jan. 6 Committee in Effort to Guard Against ‘Revenge’ by Donald Trump
| Associated Press
The decision by Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Cecile Richards, Former Planned Parenthood President, Dies at 67
| CNN
Cecile Richards served as president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018, helping boost the profile of an organization long criticized by conservatives and anti-abortion activists who have called on the government to strip its funding.
Pope Francis Calls Donald Trump’s Mass Deportation Plans ‘a Disgrace’
| Associated Press
Pope Francis made the comments during an appearance at an evening talk show, and then followed up Monday with an official telegram of congratulations to Trump on the day of his inauguration. Francis said he prayed that America would live up to its ideals of being a “land of opportunity and welcome for all.”
As Donald Trump Takes Office, Chicago Officials Prepare to Push Back on His Agenda
| Heather Cherone
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson have both said they are prepared to confront President-elect Donald Trump's policies head-on. But it is unclear how Trump will make good on his promises of retribution, and what power city and state officials will have to resist or thwart federal authorities.
Immigrants in Chicago, Other US Cities Brace for Expected Donald Trump Deportation Arrests
| Associated Press
Immigrants in large cities have been preparing for mass arrests since Trump won election in November, but reports that his initial push would be in the Chicago area has brought a new sense of urgency and fear.
Chicago Prepares for Deportation Arrests Next Week After Donald Trump Takes Office
| Associated Press
The operation will be concentrated in the Chicago area, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because plans have not been made public. Arrests are expected all week.
The Long Struggle to Establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day
| Associated Press
While it is now a time-honored tradition, the establishment of the holiday had a prolonged, difficult path to acceptance.
Week in Review: End of the Line for Dorval Carter at CTA; First Partially Elected School Board Sworn In
| Paul Caine
Chicago gets its first elected school board members. And former House Speaker Michael Madigan explains his “making out like bandits” remark.
FitzGerald’s Owner on What Makes the Berwyn Nightclub ‘Historic’ — From Al Capone’s Gang to Local Community
| Marc Vitali
The beloved American roots music club has been honored with a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s the first Illinois music venue to be recognized by the National Park Service.
Illinois Supreme Court Hears Arguments on a Challenge to State’s Concealed Carry Law
| Medill Illinois News Bureau
Under Illinois’ aggravated unlawful use of a weapon statute, individuals are not allowed to carry a firearm in public unless the person has a valid Concealed Carry License.
Sangamon County Enters Agreement to End DOJ Investigation Following Fatal Police Shooting
| Beth Hundsdorfer — Capitol News Illinois
Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman who was experiencing a mental health crisis, was shot in her kitchen by Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson who responded to Massey’s 911 call about a prowler outside her home near Springfield.
Federal Budget Deficit Expected to Soar to $2.7 trillion in 2035, Highlighting Pressure on GOP
| CNN
Even if tax breaks are allowed to lapse at year’s end, the federal budget deficit will still climb to $2.7 trillion in a decade, according to the CBO’s latest outlook, released Friday.
Proposed Rules Would Require Nutrition Info, Allergen Warnings on Alcohol Labels
| Associated Press
The move is the second major change for alcohol labels announced in the waning days of the Biden administration. On Jan. 5, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for new warnings about the link between alcohol and cancer.
Ozempic, Wegovy and Other Drugs Are Among 15 Selected for Medicare’s Price Negotiations
| Associated Press
The price negotiations for the additional 15 drugs selected will be handled by the incoming Trump administration and, if deals are reached, almost assure billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers.
Supreme Court Upholds Law Banning TikTok if it’s Not Sold by Chinese Parent Company
| Associated Press
The decision came against the backdrop of unusual political agitation by President-elect Donald Trump, who vowed that he could negotiate a solution and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has signaled it won’t enforce the law beginning Sunday, his final full day in office.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Jan. 16, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Local activists share plans to demonstrate on Inauguration Day. Two Chicago colleges are offering free tuition. And conservation efforts aimed at protecting monarch butterflies.
Roosevelt University, UIC Launch Free Tuition Programs for Low-Income Students
| Bridgette Adu-Wadier
Low-income Illinoisans feeling the weight of college tuition might soon get a bit of a relief.
Activists to Protest Outside Chicago’s Trump Tower on Inauguration Day
| Emily Soto
The People’s March for Justice is part of a national coalition fighting against the goals of the incoming administration.
Illinois Black Hemp Association Says Industry ‘Under Attack’ by Pritzker Amid Push for Stricter Regulation
| Amanda Vinicky
Many in the hemp industry said not everyone in the hemp space uses deceitful and dangerous practices, and that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approach will kill their responsible businesses along with the bad actors.
Local Live Music Recommendations for Jan. 15-Jan. 21
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Chicago’s International Puppet Theater Festival Returns. Here Are 5 of Our Picks
| Marc Vitali
Chicago’s been invaded by puppet people, and resistance is futile. If you wish to experience theatrical wonder — and who doesn’t? — surrender to these inventive invaders.
Venus and Saturn Cozy Up to Each Other for Planetary Conjunction This Weekend
| Patty Wetli
On the evenings of Jan. 17 and 18, the planets will appear virtually side by side, in what's called a “planetary conjunction.”
David Lynch, Visionary Filmmaker Behind ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘Mulholland Drive,’ Dies at 78
| Associated Press
David Lynch was celebrated for his uniquely dark vision in such movies as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and the TV series “Twin Peaks.”
Michael Madigan Defense Rests its Case as Landmark Corruption Trial Winds Toward an End
| Matt Masterson
Michael Madigan’s defense team officially rested Thursday morning, nearly three months after opening statements and testimony began in the landmark case.
Surprise Finding Sheds Light on What Causes Huntington’s Disease, a Devastating Fatal Brain Disorder
| Associated Press
The genetic mutation linked to Huntington’s has long been known, but scientists haven’t understood how people could have the mutation from birth, but not develop any problems until later in life.
Democrats’ Crisis of the Future: Illinois, California and New York are Shrinking
| Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas and Florida are growing rapidly. California, Illinois and New York are shrinking.
With America’s population shifting to the South, political influence is seeping from reliably Democratic states to areas controlled by Republicans. Coming out of a presidential election where they lost all seven swing states, Democrats are facing a demographic challenge that could reduce their path to winning the U.S. House of Representatives or the White House for the long term.
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