Stories by Matt Masterson

Mayor Johnson Hits Back at Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Plans to Deploy National Guard to Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he takes Trump’s statement seriously, but claimed the city has not received any word from federal authorities about the deployment of any additional law enforcement into Chicago.

United Methodist Church Buys Southern Illinois Billboard Space That Hosted Proud Boys Sign for ‘Love Unites’ Message

In response to the uproar over a Proud Boys message displayed on a billboard near Central Community High School, the United Methodist Church has a simple message: “Hate Divides, Love Unites.”

Pritzker Signs Bill Requiring Public Colleges in Illinois to Offer Contraception, Medication Abortion

Two bills aimed at further protecting reproductive rights in Illinois were signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday, expanding protections to health care providers and making contraception and medication abortion more accessible to college students.

Green Spaces Are Key to Combating Record Heat in Marginalized Communities

Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s the top cause of weather-related fatalities nationwide.

Pritzker Signs Law Expanding Lawsuit Protections for Illinois News Media

A state law designed to prevent lawsuits that curtail public participation in government now explicitly protects the news media.

Feds Launch New Unit to Prosecute Health Care Fraud Cases in Illinois

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced Friday the creation of a new section within the Northern District of Illinois’s Criminal Division that will be dedicated to the prosecution of health care fraud.

New Dinosaur Just Dropped. This One Had a Striking Sail-Like Back

The bones of Istiorachis macarthurae, named in honor of record-breaking British sailor Ellen MacArthur, were uncovered on the Isle of Wight, a small island just off the south coast of England, where it roamed more than 120 million years ago.

A Look Inside the Facility Where ICE is Training Recruits to Take on Trump’s Deportation Goals

With lots of money approved by Congress this summer starting to flow into ICE, the agency is in midst of a huge hiring effort as it aims to get thousands of new deportation officers into the field in the coming months.

Aug. 21, 2025 - Full Show

The impact big data centers are having on the Great Lakes water supply. And Veterans Affairs staff speaks out after losing union protections — what it could mean for local veterans.

Veterans Affairs Workers, Unions Push Trump Administration to Reinstate Collective Bargaining Rights

The Trump administration cut union contracts for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees earlier this month as part of a larger effort to strip federal workers of union protections.

Wonders of Art and Technology Get Clicks at WNDR Museum, an Influencer Hotspot: Review

A funhouse of art and technology, the WNDR Museum started as a pop-up in 2018 and then became a fixed destination in the West Loop. WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali explored the space.

Supreme Court Lets Trump Administration Cut $783M of Research Funding in Anti-DEI Push

The high court majority lifted a judge’s order blocking $783 million worth of cuts made by the National Institutes of Health to align with Republican President Donald Trump’s priorities.

Passengers Sue United and Delta for Selling ‘Window’ Seats Next to Blank Walls

The lawsuits allege that United and Delta long have been aware of consumer complaints posted on social media about the windowless seats yet continued charging extra for window seats without windows.

New Female Polar Bear Coming to Brookfield Zoo This Fall, Bringing Long Gestating Hope for Cubs With Her

On Thursday, Brookfield Zoo announced that Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female, will be making the move from the Oregon Zoo to Chicago’s suburbs, where she’ll also be paired up with 5-year-old Hudson.

Trump Administration Reviewing All 55M People With US Visas for Potential Deportable Violations

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, his administration has thus far focused on deporting migrants illegally in the United States as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas.

Some Outbound Kennedy Lanes to Reopen Next Week, But Expect Some Ramp Closures: IDOT

Several overnight ramp and lane closures are scheduled to take place over the next week to facilitate the reopening of lanes on the north end of the work zone, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

Insurance Industry Opposes Regulation, Blames Inflation and Climate Change for Rate Hikes

Robert Gordon, a senior vice president at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said property losses from natural disasters are common in Illinois, and they have been growing more frequent.

Applications Sought for Chicago’s Next Police Misconduct Agency Chief

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced it has begun accepting applications for the role of chief administrator in the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Water Lilies Flex Their Muscles in Global Botanic Garden Weigh-Off Challenge. How Do Chicago’s Contestants Stack Up?

Now in its third year, the Waterlily Weigh-Off has bulked up to more than 40 competitors across eight countries. The winner will be announced Aug. 28.

Ex-Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Settles Lawsuit Following His Firing Amid Hazing Allegations

Former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald and his attorneys announced the “satisfactory settlement” Thursday, though terms of the agreement were not immediately known.

From a Timely Theater Festival to an Evening of Mexican Soul, Here Are 6 Arts Picks for This Week

Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city’s must-see cultural events.

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 20, 2025 - Full Show

The head of the Chicago Teachers Union on the district’s budget deficit and more. And prison lockdowns are on the rise — we explore the reasons.

Illinois’ SNAP Education Program to End Amid Federal Funding Cuts. How That Could Impact Local Communities

More than 1 million Illinois residents have benefitted from an educational program that teaches SNAP recipients about nutrition.

CTU President Rejects Pritzker’s Assertion No More Money to Be Found in Springfield for Schools

CPS is facing a $734 million shortfall with a deadline to pass a balanced budget coming next Friday, but the options facing CPS board members and the interim CEO appear to be narrowing.

Vehicle Emissions Testing Offered at Chicago South DMV as Part of Pilot Program

The pilot is a partnership between the Illinois secretary of state and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Motorists are expected to test vehicle emissions every two years for cars older than four years.

What Happens During a Prison Lockdown? With Illinois Seeing Historic Highs, We Asked Incarcerated People

Lockdowns can be indistinguishable from solitary confinement-like conditions, with those incarcerated given little yard time and limited access to educational programming and commissary.
 

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