It had only been hinted at in previous public examinations of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection: Scores of rioters attacked police officers not just with makeshift weapons, stun guns and fists, but with racist slurs and accusations of treason.
Stories by all
Should Vaccinated People Mask Up with COVID-19 Cases Rising?
Jul 28, 2021 | Associated Press
In places where the virus is surging, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that vaccinated people return to wearing masks in public indoor places.
Special Prosecutor Chosen to Investigate Cook County State’s Attorney Handling of Jackie Wilson Case
Jul 28, 2021 | Matt Masterson
A Cook County judge has appointed Lawrence Oliver to serve as special prosecutor in the case of Jackie Wilson, who wrongfully spent decades behind bars for a double murder he didn’t commit.
Illinois Health Officials Recommend Masks Indoors, Even for Fully Vaccinated
Jul 28, 2021 | Kristen Thometz
Echoing a masking announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois health officials are recommending that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in school settings and in areas where COVID-19 is spreading.
Pritzker Repeals HIV Criminalization Law, Expands Infertility Coverage for Same-Sex Couples
Jul 28, 2021 | CNN
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed into law a legislation package that aims to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals by, among other provisions, expanding infertility health care coverage for same-sex couples and repealing an HIV criminalization law.
Olympic Champ Simone Biles Withdraws from All-Around Competition
Jul 28, 2021 | Associated Press
Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic title. The American gymnastics superstar withdrew from Thursday’s all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being.
Local Street Markets Adjust to Pandemic Restrictions
Jul 27, 2021 | Acacia Hernandez
After a challenging year, Chicago’s street markets are adapting to new health and safety standards, and showing signs of recovery.
UChicago-Led Team Discovers Way to Dramatically Boost Crop Production
Jul 27, 2021 | Paul Caine
In a potentially world-changing discovery, scientists led by a team from the University of Chicago have discovered a way to manipulate RNA to dramatically boost crop production.
Chicago Police Defend Use of Gang Database, More than 2 Years After Watchdog Called it ‘Deeply Flawed’
Jul 27, 2021 | Heather Cherone
For the first time since a damning 2019 audit was released by the city’s watchdog, police officials defended their continuing use of records that list approximately 135,000 Chicagoans as members of gangs, citing their need for the data to prevent “retaliatory violence.”
July 27, 2021 - Full Show
Jul 27, 2021 | WTTW News
Hearings for the Capitol insurrection probe get underway. Chicago prepares for climate refugees. And has a local scientist found a solution to food insecurity?
How Climate Change Impacts US and Global Migration
Jul 27, 2021 | Marissa Nelson
As rising sea levels, destructive floods, droughts and wildfires threaten communities in the U.S. and around the globe, some say governments need to prepare for more migration.
‘This is How I’m Going to Die’: Officers Tell Jan. 6 Stories
Jul 27, 2021 | Associated Press
Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell told House investigators Tuesday he could feel himself losing oxygen as he was crushed by rioters — supporters of then-President Donald Trump — as he was defending the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
CDC Changes Course on Indoor Masks in Some Parts of the US
Jul 27, 2021 | Associated Press
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed course Tuesday on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges.
How Organizations Serving Homeless Are Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Jul 27, 2021 | Kristen Thometz
Fear, uncertainty and misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine can lead to hesitancy in any community. Advocates serving homeless Chicagoans talk about the role trust plays in reaching this vulnerable population.
Arwady ‘Hopeful’ Lollapalooza Won’t Turn into Superspreader Event
Jul 27, 2021 | Heather Cherone
Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said safety protocols in place for the massive four-day festival are sufficient to allow it to go forward despite a surge in COVID-19 cases. “I’m certainly hopeful that we won’t see a significant problem,” she said.
Cicero Man Arrested, Charged With Arson of Chicago Walgreens Last Summer
Jul 27, 2021 | Matt Masterson
Federal authorities on Tuesday announced that Jose Valdovinos had been arrested earlier this week after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with maliciously damaging and destroying a building in June 2020.
Simone Biles Withdraws from Gymnastics Final to Protect Team, Self
Jul 27, 2021 | Associated Press
Simone Biles came to Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. It all came to a stunning halt in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday night with an uncertain vault.
‘Black Voices’ Community Conversation: Pandemic’s Impact on Chicago Art Scene
Jul 27, 2021 | Marissa Nelson
Angel Idowu and a panel of guests discuss the coronavirus pandemic through the lens of Chicago’s arts community. Watch the discussion now.
University of Chicago Examines Connection Between Poverty and Child Welfare
Jul 26, 2021 | Blair Paddock
Families living in poverty are more likely to be involved with the child welfare system, according to a recent brief from the University of Chicago. As part of our “Firsthand: Living in Poverty” series, we look at the barriers facing families that need financial assistance.
Infrastructure Talks Hit Snags as Senate Time Pressure Rises
Jul 26, 2021 | Associated Press
Senators ran into new problems Monday as they raced to seal a bipartisan infrastructure deal, with pressure mounting on all sides to show progress on President Joe Biden’s top priority.
How the Lipizzan Stallions Learn to Dance
Jul 26, 2021 | Angel Idowu
At a farm just north of the city, trainers are working to preserve an art form on display at the Tokyo Olympics. We visit Tempel Farms to see the Lipizzan stallions they’re teaching to dance.
Dr. Arwady on Lollapalooza: ‘We’re Not in a Place to be Shutting Things Down Yet’
Jul 26, 2021 | Quinn Myers
The four-day music festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to Grant Park, and many are concerned it could become a “superspreader” event. But city officials say it will go on as planned.
Winds Stoke California’s Largest Fire as Blazes Scorch West
Jul 26, 2021 | Associated Press
Erratic winds and the potential for dry lightning added to the challenges facing firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire, one of numerous blazes burning Monday across the U.S. West.
Lightfoot: ‘No Second Thoughts’ on Lollapalooza Amid Confusion Over Testing Rules
Jul 26, 2021 | Heather Cherone
More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend the massive four-day music festival that starts Thursday. “We’ve been having large-scale events all over the city since June without major problems or issues," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
Crain’s Headlines: Aon, Willis Towers Watson Scrap $30B Merger Deal
Jul 26, 2021 | WTTW News
A merger that would have created the world’s largest insurance brokerage falls through. Crain’s Chicago Business editor Ann Dwyer takes us behind the headline of that story and more business news.
Biden Administration Announces Resources to Support People With Long COVID
Jul 26, 2021 | CNN
On the 31st anniversary of the ADA, the Biden administration released guidance and resources to support people experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19, known as “long COVID,” as the condition shapes up to be a major, long-term public health issue.