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Brandon Johnson Sworn in As Chicago’s 57th Mayor: ‘There Is Something Special About This City’
| Heather Cherone
Capping an improbable rise and carrying the hopes of a political movement determined to remake Chicago as a more equitable place to live, Brandon Johnson was sworn into office Monday as Chicago’s 57th mayor.
Prosecutor Ends 4-Year Probe of FBI’s Trump-Russia Investigation with No New Charges but Some Harsh Criticism
| Associated Press
The report Monday from special counsel John Durham represents the long-awaited culmination of an investigation that Trump and allies had claimed would expose massive wrongdoing by law enforcement and intelligence officials. Instead, Durham’s investigation delivered underwhelming results.
After Expiration of Title 42 Restriction Policy, Fewer Than Expected Migrants Arrive at the Border
| CNN
But US authorities saw a 50% drop in the number of migrant encounters along the border over the previous two days compared to earlier in the week — before Title 42 ended. The situation at the border is “very fluid,” a senior Homeland Security official told reporters Monday.
Repelled by High Car Prices, Americans Holding on to Their Vehicles Longer Than Ever
| Associated Press
Since the pandemic struck three years ago, the average new vehicle has rocketed 24% to nearly $48,000 as of April, according to Edmunds.com. Typical loan rates on new-car purchases have ballooned to 7%, a consequence of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive streak of interest rate hikes to fight inflation.
Ex-U.S. Attorney John Lausch Heading Back to Private Practice at Kirkland & Ellis
| Matt Masterson
During his time as U.S. Attorney, Lausch oversaw numerous high-profile investigations in Chicago, among them, the indictments of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on racketeering and bribery charges and longtime Chicago Ald. Ed. Burke.
8 People Fatally Shot Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 26 people were shot in 23 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
As Brandon Johnson Takes Control of Chicago City Hall, Massive Challenges Await
| Heather Cherone
Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson had just 41 days to put together his administration and lay the foundation to start delivering on his ambitious agenda — the shortest mayoral transition in Chicago history.
What Does the End of Title 42 Mean for Those Seeking Asylum in the U.S.?
| Erica Gunderson
The policy allowed authorities to quickly expel migrants at U.S. borders in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. More than 2.8 million migrants were expelled, according to Customs and Border protection data. But the policy has also created more confusion and misinformation among the people who are seeking asylum in the U.S.
South Side Retiree Finds New Passion as Sign Language Teacher at Thurgood Marshall Library
| Erica Gunderson
Every Tuesday afternoon at the Thurgood Marshall Branch of the Chicago Public Library, retiree Jerry Bowen signs “hello” to the sign language class he’s taught remotely for three years.
Finding ‘The Road Home’ with Re-Entry Navigator-in-Training Kameron Huckleby
| Erica Gunderson
Kameron Huckleby is on the road home after incarceration, and he’s on the road to helping others do the same as a re-entry navigator in training with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.
‘La Ultima Palabra’ on Resources for Those Returning After Incarceration
| Erica Gunderson
Francisco Perez gives “La Ultima Palabra” on why he says creating a smoother landing for people leaving incarceration is good business for everyone.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, May 12, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What young Chicagoans hope to see from their new mayor. Resources for people returning from incarceration. And learning sign language at a local library.
From Accessible Gathering Spaces to Educational Opportunities, Young Chicagoans Share Their Hopes for Brandon Johnson’s Administration
| Erica Gunderson
For young people in the city, the start of a new administration at City Hall is both a chance for progress and a moment to call attention to the issues most important to them.
With Black Workers Accounting for Only 3.7% of Tech Roles, Company Initiatives Aim to Close Diversity Gap
| Eunice Alpasan
A study by the Kapor Center and the NAACP finds that between 2014 and 2021, there was only a 1% increase in Black representation within technical roles at large tech companies.
Provocative Play ‘Underground Railroad Game’ Shaped by Gettysburg School Trip Memories
| Erica Gunderson
“Underground Railroad Game” touches on heavy themes like race, power, sex and the American psyche, but its creators say it’ll also make you laugh. The play runs at the at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts from May 18-20.
Week in Review: Migrant Crisis Grows; Lightfoot’s Final Days in Office
| Alexandra Silets
Migrant crisis hits fever pitch here as Title 42 expires on the border. Brandon Johnson gets ready to take the oath of office Monday. And Blackhawks fans swept up in Connor Bedard mania.
Brandon Johnson Commits to Reopening Chicago’s Public Mental Health Clinics Closed 11 Years Ago
| Heather Cherone
“We are going to reopen the mental health clinics,” Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson said in an interview with WTTW News, putting it first in a list of his top priorities.
This Week in Nature: Wanna Show Your Love for Chonk the Snapper? Join Chicago River Day Cleanup
| Patty Wetli
The giant snapping turtle spotted in the Chicago River became a viral sensation this week. But the river is home to lots of wildlife, thanks to ongoing efforts to clean up the waterway.
Some Chicago School Advocates Say Proposed Elected Board Map Doesn’t Accurately Reflect Latino Population
| Blair Paddock
The glaring issue for many parent advocates is that they see the proposed map as not representative of the majority Latino student population in Chicago Public Schools. Instead, the maps are based on Chicago’s overall population, meaning fewer majority Latino districts.
Chicago Is Hosting the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday. Here’s How It Works
| Associated Press
The league will hold this year’s lottery Tuesday night in Chicago, with the winner getting the No. 1 pick and the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama. He is considered the best prospect in years — perhaps since LeBron James went No. 1 20 years ago.
Retailers Like Walmart and Starbucks Are Closing in Big Cities. Some Cite Crime, But Changing Habits May Be More Likely
| CNN
Several forces are pushing chains out of some city centers: a glut of stores, people working from home, online shopping, exorbitant rents, crime and public safety concerns, and difficulty hiring workers. To reinvent downtown retail, drastic changes may be required.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Says State Must Do More to Help FOID Revocation Efforts
| Matt Masterson
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart on Friday said millions more dollars must be dedicated to helping police departments recover weapons from those who’ve had their FOID cards revoked.
See the Most Popular Baby Names Last Year and the Hit TV Show Impacting Trends
| Associated Press
The Social Security Administration released the annual list Friday. The agency tracks baby names in each state based on applications for Social Security cards, with names dating to 1880.
South Shore Residents Take Legal Action to Prevent High School From Being Used as Migrant Shelter
| Joanna Hernandez
The residents say they have filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order against the city of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools to prevent a migrant respite center from opening in the former South Shore High School building.
DuPage County, Coalition of Suburbs Ask Court to Reconsider Massive Freight Rail Merger
| Nick Blumberg
Federal regulators approved the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in March, which would create a new route linking Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The company plans to run an additional seven to eight trains each day along tracks shared by Metra’s Milwaukee District West line.
Performers, Drag Artists Pay Tribute to the Late, Great Selena With Joyous Live Show
| Nick Blumberg
This weekend, the Queen of Tejano Music is being celebrated with “Bidi Bidi Boom Boom: The Selena Tribute Dance Party” at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, where a group of performers and drag artists are bringing some of Selena’s legendary music to life for Chicago audiences.
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