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Federal Agencies Investigating Death of 3-Year-Old Asylum-Seeker Who Was on Texas-Sponsored Bus to Chicago

A 3-year-old migrant girl who was on a Texas-sponsored bus to Chicago died last week, prompting investigations by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies, authorities said.

Donald Trump Cancels Press Conference, Reacts to Georgia Indictment for First Time on Camera: ‘I Have Four of Them Now’

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday reacted for the first time on camera to the Georgia indictment that accuses him of being the head of a “criminal enterprise” to overturn the 2020 election, dismissing the criminal charges as a “witch hunt” and a “horrible thing for the country.”

Longtime Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews Says He’s Stepping Away From Hockey for Health — But Not Retiring

“I’d like to announce that I am not fully retiring, but I am taking time away from the game again this season,” said Toews, who also missed all of the 2020-21 season with symptoms of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome.

Johnson’s Pick for Top Cop Served as Go-To Expert Witness in Police Misconduct Trials

Chief Larry Snelling, tapped by Mayor Brandon Johnson to lead the Chicago Police Department, served as an expert witness in more than two dozen civil and criminal cases involving police officers, according to court records reviewed by WTTW News.

Aug. 17, 2023 - Full Show

The latest in the trial of Michael Madigan’s former chief of staff. What’s behind the rash of postal worker assaults. And a Chicago singer-songwriter by way of Honduras.

Chicago Musicians Rally Behind Honduran Singer-Songwriter

In his native Honduras, singer-songwriter Carlos Barahona, who goes by the stage name Charlie Baran, contributed to one of the biggest hits in Latin music.

Paramedics, EMTs Claim Chicago-Area Ambulance Company Illegally Forced Them to Pay For Red Light, Speed Camera Tickets

In a class action wage theft lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cook County court, plaintiffs say instead of contesting the tickets, which were incurred during emergency calls while running with lights and sirens, the company charged the cost of the moving violations against employees’ pay without their consent.

Rise in Attacks on Mail Carriers Has Union Demanding Action

Robberies targeting mail carriers increased 78% in 2022, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Illinois Republicans Focus on Unity and Avoid Trump During GOP Day at State Fair

During Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair, state party leaders sought a message of unity ahead of the 2024 presidential election. While former President Donald Trump’s name and political slogans were visible on signage and clothing, the speakers generally kept their focus on Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Former Northwestern Athletes Send Letter Defending School’s Athletic Culture

Northwestern University is facing more than a dozen lawsuits across multiple sports with allegations including sexual abuse of players by teammates as well as racist comments by coaches and race-based assaults.

5 Things to Do This Weekend: Ribfest Chicago, Englewood Back to School Parade

A parade, dance lessons and summer festivals usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.

Jury Hears More Wiretapped Calls of Ex-Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes as Perjury Trial Continues

The FBI-recorded calls played in court Thursday related to former state Rep. Lou Lang — who resigned his position in early 2019 amid sexual harassment allegations.

Cook County Announces $10M Program to Help Small Businesses Reduce Environmental Impact

Dry cleaners, auto body and repair shops, food and beverage manufacturers and metal finishers in suburban Cook County that experienced a decrease in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic are able to benefit from the program.

If You Had a Facebook Account in the Last 16 Years, You Have 1 Week Left to File a Claim for $725M Privacy Settlement

Facebook’s parent, Meta, in December agreed to pay $725 million to settle a host of privacy-related class action lawsuits alleging, among other things, that Facebook let third parties access its users’ private data and that of their friends without users’ permission.

Aug. 16, 2023 - Full Show

Federal relief is on the way for thousands of Chicagoans who experienced flooding damage. Reaction to some of the mayor’s latest moves. And surrealist paintings at the Art Institute.

Federal Assistance Available for Cook County Residents Impacted by Flood Damage. Here’s How to Apply

President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for Cook County. It comes more than a month after nearly 9 inches of rain flooded parts of Chicago, with the West Side hit particularly hard.

Bewitching Mid-Century Surrealist Painter Gets Rare Spotlight at Art Institute

Strange people occupy fantastic places in a new exhibition of art by Remedios Varo at the Art Institute of Chicago. The 20th century surrealist painter’s work is well known in Mexico but rarely seen in the U.S.

Outrage Over Allison Arwady’s Firing Puts a Spotlight on Brandon Johnson’s Public Health Agenda

During his campaign for mayor, Brandon Johnson promised to fire Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, and Friday night, he did just that — setting off a wave of recriminations and outrage.

Pritzker Vetoes Measure Granting Ameren Authority Over Transmission Line Construction

The governor issued what’s called an amendatory veto, striking only the portion of House Bill 3445. He left the rest of the bill, which modifies a state grant program and requires several policy studies, untouched.

Trump, Rauner, Policy Wins on Democrats’ Minds During State Fair’s Political Festivities

Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner remained popular punching bags for Illinois Democrats as they rallied in Springfield Wednesday, while the party also touted a long list of recent policy wins. Republicans will have their own rally Thursday.

Illinois Will Provide Burial for Migrant Toddler Who Died on Bus Traveling From Texas to Chicago

Jismary Alejandra Barboza González, who would have turned 4 next week, died Aug. 10 while on a chartered bus, part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s program begun last year of sending migrants crossing into the state to Democratic-led cities across the country.

Some Abortion Drug Restrictions Are Upheld by Appeals Court in Case Bound for the Supreme Court

The restrictions won’t take effect right away because the Supreme Court previously intervened to keep the drug available during the ongoing legal fight.

Items Seized in Widely Condemned Police Raid at Marion County Record Newspaper in Kansas Will Be Returned, Officials Say

An attorney for the Marion County Record said the local prosecutor has agreed to withdraw a search warrant executed on the newspaper Friday and will return all seized items, answering demands of press freedom advocates who sharply condemned the police action.

CPS Could Spend Up to $5M on COVID-19 Rapid Tests for the Coming School Year

The city’s Board of Education will vote next week on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with the Pittsburgh-based Fisher Scientific company to provide COVID-19 testing supplies to the school district for the upcoming academic year.

Choate Director Replaced as New Report Says Abuse at the Facility Hasn’t Stopped

A new report by an advocacy agency details how abuse and neglect at Choate have continued despite calls for and promises of reform.

The department’s about-face on Choate’s top leader follows months of reporting on poor conditions at the facility by Capitol News Illinois, Lee Enterprises Midwest and ProPublica.

About 146,000 United Auto Workers Members to Vote on Strike Authorization Next Week

The union’s contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis expire in about a month, at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.
 

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