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City Investing $1 Billion in Affordable Housing Projects

“We envision a city where every resident, no matter age, income, identity, ability, has the opportunities and the resources to lead comfortable lives in the communities they call home,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.

Second Holiday Season With COVID-19: How Religious Leaders Are Celebrating

This time last year, many people celebrated the holidays virtually, as the COVID-19 vaccine was not yet widely available. But this year, the faithful can plan some in-person gatherings to celebrate the holidays.

New Book Argues Focus on Profit and Lax Oversight Led to Deadly Boeing Crashes

Boeing’s former CEO defended the company’s safety record after a pair of deadly crashes, and implied some of the blame lay with insufficiently trained pilots. But a new book argues changes in corporate culture and government oversight led Boeing to prioritize profit over safety.

Competing COVID-19 Vaccine Bills Proposed in Illinois

One bill would require all unvaccinated individuals who are hospitalized or need other medical treatment because of COVID-19 to pay any related costs out of pocket. The other would forbid discrimination against anyone who chooses not to be vaccinated out of religious or personal beliefs.

Sun-Times, BGA Report Reveals Costly Toll of ‘Dead-End’ Drug Arrests

An analysis of 280,000 drug possession cases between 2000 and 2018 revealed about half of those cases were dismissed. In 2018, such dismissals rose to 72% of cases, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times and Better Government Association.

Omicron Variant Detected in Chicago, Officials Announce

The omicron variant of COVID-19, which is believed to be highly transmissible, has been detected in Chicago, state and city health officials announced Tuesday. 

A Tip of the Hat to ‘Mr. Dickens’ Hat’ and Its Beguiling Twist on Charles Dickens’ Legacy

Every performer in this demanding show is multitalented and able to deftly shift from one character and mood to another in record time. 

Alexa, When Will the Amazon Outage End? Cloud Computing Woes Bring Services, Apps to a Halt

Amazon’s cloud computing technology experienced major technical difficulties Tuesday, and brought half the world to a halt — or at least it felt that way to clients and consumers reliant on applications or services such as Alexa, Amazon Prime Video, Ring and Canvas.

Measure to Allow Sports Betting at Chicago Pro-Sports Arenas Remains Stalled Despite Mayor’s Backing

A measure that would allow five of Chicago’s professional sports teams let fans place bets at their home arenas and during games stalled again Tuesday despite the support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, amid concerns that it could kneecap long-delayed efforts to build a casino in Chicago.

DuPage County Organization Seeks to Uplift Refugee Women

Every year thousands of refugees seek asylum in the United States. Re:new is helping refugee women get back on their feet by teaching them how to become designers.

Defense Rests in Jussie Smollett Trial After Prosecution Contrasts His Version of Events With Other Testimony

The trial, which began last week, is the culmination of a case that began on the frigid night of Jan. 29, 2019, when Jussie Smollett told police two men had attacked him, made anti-gay and racist comments, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck.

December 7, 2021 - Full Show

A call for those who haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine to pay for the cost of their medical treatment. A billion dollar investment in affordable housing. And a second pandemic holiday season.

Chicago Facing ‘Very Significant’ COVID-19 Surge, As Omicron Variant Looms, Top Doc Says

Even as the threat posed by the omicron variant of COVID-19 has yet to materialize in Chicago, the city is enduring a “very significant” surge of COVID-19 fueled by the holiday gatherings and indoor events, Chicago’s top doctor said Tuesday.

Midewin Prairie Holds Clues to Chicago’s Prehistoric Peoples. Archeologists Are Working to Unearth Those Secrets

With new tools at their disposal, archeologists are revisiting a prehistoric site discovered 40 years ago at what’s now Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. “What we have here is a real unique opportunity to talk about how humans used this landscape over the last 10,000 years,” one researcher said. 

Survivors Gather to Remember Those Lost at Pearl Harbor

A few dozen survivors of Pearl Harbor are expected to gather Tuesday at the site of the Japanese bombing to remember those killed in the attack that launched the U.S. into World War II. They will observe a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the same minute the attack began decades ago.

BP Agrees to $500K Penalty, Soot Limits at Indiana Refinery

The U.S. District Court settlement modifies a previous consent decree that required BP Products North America Inc. to limit releases from the sprawling facility on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan.

Harvey Mayor on Homicides: ‘There’s a Perception Harvey Isn’t a Safe Place to Live’

More than 1,000 homicides have been recorded in Cook County so far this year. In the suburbs, Harvey has seen the highest total of homicides with 30.

Crain’s Headlines: Omicron’s Rapid Spread Slows Air Travel Recovery

The rise in air travel is coming back down, thanks to the omicron variant’s rapid spread. Ann Dwyer has details on that story and more.

Omicron Variant Raises Concerns of Vaccine Equity

A growing number of states and countries are detecting the omicron variant, though it has yet to be identified in Illinois. Some say the mutation raises concerns about vaccine equity across the globe.

Jussie Smollett Testifies at His Trial: ‘There Was No Hoax’

Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett denied Monday that he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself in downtown Chicago, testifying at his trial that “there was no hoax.”

Biden-Putin Talks on Ukraine Crisis Rooted in Older Dispute

The dispute over Ukraine’s status and its growing alignment with U.S.-led NATO will be at the center of President Vladimir Putin’s video meeting Tuesday with President Joe Biden, whose administration says an extensive Russian military buildup near Ukraine points to a potential invasion.

The Joffrey Ballet’s Lavish ‘Nutcracker’ Lights Up the Lyric Opera House Stage

Pure winter magic. The Joffrey Ballet’s altogether unique production of “The Nutcracker,” has never looked more glorious or been danced more ideally.

How Can I Protect Myself From the New Omicron Variant?

The same way you guard against COVID-19 caused by any other variant: Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, get a booster if you’re eligible and step up other precautions you may have relaxed, like wearing a mask and avoiding crowds.

Fauci Says Early Reports Encouraging About Omicron Variant

Reports from South Africa, where it emerged and is becoming the dominant strain, suggest that hospitalization rates have not increased alarmingly.

December 6, 2021 - Full Show

The impact of travel bans from certain countries as omicron spreads. Homicides in Cook County reach a historic level. How the U.S. is responding to Russian-Ukraine tensions. And the Hall of Fame for Minnie Minoso.

9 People Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police

According to police department data, 32 people were shot in 28 shooting incidents over the weekend in Chicago.
 

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