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Groups Sue to Block Plan to Build Chicago Fire Practice Facility on Chicago Housing Authority Land
| Heather Cherone
Federal officials failed to conduct a required civil rights review to determine whether the deal would meet the Chicago Housing Authority’s obligations under the federal Fair Housing Act, according to the lawsuit.
What the Fluff? It’s a ‘Holy Cow’ Year for Cottonwood, and Here’s Why
| Patty Wetli
Yep, it’s the annual appearance of cottonwood fluff, and if you were thinking this year’s showering seems excessive, you’re right. It is.
As Plan for New Stadium in Arlington Heights Stalls, Bears Start Considering New Options
| Heather Cherone
Building a stadium on the former Arlington Heights racetrack “is no longer our singular focus,” said Scott Hagel, the Bears senior vice president of marketing and communications.
Judge Sets $5M Bond For Pair Charged With Fatally Shooting Waukegan Volleyball Coach
| Matt Masterson
David Dejesus, 16, and Yahir A. Torrecilla, 17, have each been arrested and charged as adults with first-degree murder stemming from the fatal May 6 shooting of 23-year-old Niolis Collazo.
Just Days to Spare, US Senate Gives Final Approval to Debt Ceiling Deal, Sending It to Biden
| Associated Press
The compromise package leaves neither Republicans nor Democrats fully pleased with the outcome. But the result, after weeks of hard-fought budget negotiations, shelves the volatile debt ceiling issue that risked upending the U.S. and global economy until 2025 after the next presidential election.
US Employers Added a Surprisingly Strong 339,000 Jobs in May in a Sign of Economic Health
| Associated Press
The nation’s employers stepped up their hiring in May, adding a robust 339,000 jobs, well above expectations and evidence of enduring strength in an economy that the Federal Reserve is desperately trying to cool.
Johnson to Fight Ruling That Could Force City Officials to Allow Metal Scrapper to Operate on Southeast Side
| Heather Cherone
A judge’s ruling could force Chicago officials to issue the final permit sought by the parent company of General Iron to operate a metal shredding and recycling operation on Chicago’s Southeast Side.
June 1, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Live from Edgewater, where residents tussle over a proposed shelter for migrants. Investigating illegal trash pickups. And the latest on the debt ceiling as the default deadline approaches.
US House Members on Debt Ceiling Deal, Immigration Policy for Assisting Migrants Arriving in Chicago
| Eunice Alpasan
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a deal Wednesday night to divert a U.S. default on its debt; the bill now heads to the Senate for approval. However, the deal was not without controversy for lawmakers of both political parties.
Edgewater Residents Call for Answers as City Eyes Broadway Armory as Possible Migrant Center
| Acacia Hernandez
Broadway Armory Park is one of Chicago Park District’s largest indoor and active recreational facilities. Residents are worried this would mean youth and senior programs getting canceled or postponed and said it would be a loss for the neighborhood ahead of summer.
Rude Awakening: Tracking Illegal, Early Morning Trash Pickups
| Nick Blumberg
WTTW News saw private garbage hauler Groot making four separate pickups before 7 a.m. last week. It’s not just a nuisance — it’s illegal. Under Chicago’s noise ordinance, trash haulers are banned from work between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
US Has Been Falling Behind on Life Expectancy for Decades, Study Shows
| CNN
By 2019, the life expectancy gap between the U.S. and the highest-performing nation had grown to more than six years. The COVID-19 pandemic widened that gap even more, as the U.S. had more deaths from the virus than any other country and has been slower to recover.
Money Stored in Venmo and Other Payment Apps Could Be Vulnerable, Financial Watchdog Warns
| Associated Press
The alert comes several weeks after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, which all experienced bank runs after fearful customers with uninsured deposits pulled their money en masse.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Chicago Dance Month, Friday Night Flights
| Erica Demarest
An art fair, beer tasting and James Beard events usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
Shootings Rose in May, But Homicides in Chicago Remain Below Pace of Recent Years: Police
| Matt Masterson
New crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department show that 229 people have been killed in the city year-to-date. That total is down about 9% from the same time last year (when there were 253 homicides) and down about 12% compared to 2021.
Brother of Reputed Gang Leader Charged After Allegedly Telling Witness ‘I’ll Get You’ During Trial
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors have charged Rosco Blackman with witness tampering following the comment he allegedly made during the ongoing trial of his brother Romeo Blackman, a reputed leader of the Goonie Boss street gang.
Chicago Just Had One of Its Driest Mays in History, How Serious Is This Drought?
| Patty Wetli
State climatologist Trent Ford said conditions aren't alarming, yet, but if June isn't signficantly wetter than May, there's cause for concern.
May 31, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A heated debate in City Council over funding for migrants sent from Texas. One on one with Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. And a ride-along on the NASCAR street course.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on Budget, Bipartisanship and Immigration
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined “Chicago Tonight” for a one-on-one conversation about the spring legislative session, recently passed $50 billion state budget and asylum seekers.
Spotlight Politics: Heated City Council Meeting; Memorial Day Weekend Violence
| Alexandra Silets
Tempers and emotions flared at Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting over the vote to use $51 million for migrants who are struggling to find shelter and food in the city.
Touring the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Course With Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
| Paris Schutz
Racing legends Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt Jr. took WTTW News correspondent Paris Schutz around the specially designed track that weaves in and out of Grant Park and provides some iconic views for spectators.
City Council Votes 34-13 to Spend $51M to Help Care for Migrants After Tension Between Black, Latino Chicagoans Boils Over at Meeting
| Heather Cherone
In all, city officials expect to spend $112 million through the end of June from a combination of state, federal and local funds to feed and shelter the migrants. More than 4,000 recent arrivals from Texas are living in city shelters, leaving another 500 people to sleep on the floor of police stations across the city.
Mike Pence Set to Launch His Presidential Campaign in Iowa Next Week
| Associated Press
Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa on June 7, adding another candidate to the growing GOP field and putting him in direct competition with his former boss.
Are Airplane Seats Too Small? Duckworth Wants the FAA to Look Again
| CNN
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth criticized 2019 evacuation testing, which used just 60 passengers — far fewer than in most commercial jets — and did not include senior citizens, people with mobility disabilities or carry-on luggage.
Boat Owner Sentenced to Year in Prison for Running Illegal Charter Trips on Chicago River, Lake Michigan
| Matt Masterson
Christopher Mike Garbowski, 37, was issued a year-and-a-day sentence after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of violating an order of the Captain of the Port.
Temps Top 90 at O’Hare, Officials Remind Landlords of New A/C Requirements
| Patty Wetli
With high temperatures in the forecast, city officials issued a reminder to landlords about new air conditioning requirements, put in place in 2022 after three women died in a Rogers Park senior living facility.
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