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Even After Big Reveal, State Fair’s Butter Cow Shrouded in Mystery

The sculpture was unveiled to great fanfare Wednesday, but the 800-pound bovine was barely visible to observers thanks to steamed-up glass.

Jury of 7 Men, 5 Women to Hear R. Kelly Sex Trafficking Case

R&B star R. Kelly will face an anonymous jury made up of seven men and five women when his New York City sex trafficking trial goes forward next week with opening statements.

CDC Urges COVID Vaccines During Pregnancy as Delta Surges

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged all pregnant women Wednesday to get the COVID-19 vaccine as hospitals in hot spots around the U.S. see disturbing numbers of unvaccinated mothers-to-be seriously ill with the virus.

Illinois Now Has a COVID-19 Vaccine Verification System

Illinois residents ages 18 and older no longer need to worry about carrying their COVID-19 vaccine cards with them to provide proof of inoculation against the virus.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Aug. 12-15

A back-to-school parade, street festivals, horse races and a scavenger hunt usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

How Public Health Experts are Reimagining 911 Calls

Through meetings and research, the University of Chicago’s Health Lab is working with community members to see how the nation’s emergency response system can be transformed to better serve people in crisis.

Chicago Area Deals with Tornadoes, Heat Warnings During Week of Extreme Weather

Half a dozen or more tornadoes touched down in the Chicago suburbs Monday, with more severe storms possible in the next few days. Those come as hot and humid conditions have prompted extreme heat warnings — and on the heels of a stark new report on climate change.

Chicago Record Label Revitalizes Forgotten Artists of the Past

Older artists are getting a second chance at stardom through the efforts of a local record label tucked away in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. We explore the musical world of Numero Group.

Are Vaccine Mandates the Answer to Lagging Rates Among Nursing Home Staff?

While 84% of nursing home residents in Illinois have received the COVID-19 vaccine, just 62% of the workers who care for them are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How Straw Purchasers Contribute to the Flow of Illegal Guns

Many guns involved in Chicago crimes are bought by straw purchasers. Just who are they — and can the flow of illegal guns be stopped?

Suspect in Killing of Chicago Police Officer Ella French Held Without Bail

The 21-year-old Chicago man who allegedly shot and killed Officer Ella French during a traffic stop Saturday has been ordered held without bail and remains hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the chest. His brother, who has also been charged, was held without bail during a separate hearing.

Lawsuit Seeks to Strike School Mask Mandate

Masks must be worn in Illinois schools when students and staff return to the classroom in the coming weeks. But a just-filed lawsuit could void that statewide executive order. We talk with the attorney who filed it — and a local pediatrician. 

August 10, 2021 - Full Show

The latest on the two men charged with killing a Chicago police officer this weekend. Arguments over the state’s mask mandate for students. And vaccine mandates for some health care workers.

It’s Peak Viewing for the Perseid Meteor Shower: Where and When to Watch the Show

The annual Perseid meteor shower will hit its peak in the coming days, and may even put on its best display in years thanks to diminished competition from a waxing crescent moon. Here’s what you need to know.

Hospitals Run Low on Nurses as They Get Swamped With COVID

The rapidly escalating surge in COVID-19 infections across the U.S. has caused a shortage of nurses and other front-line staff in virus hot spots that can no longer keep up with the flood of unvaccinated patients and are losing workers to burnout and lucrative out-of-state temporary gigs.

Explainer: Will We Need Vaccine Passports to Do Fun Things?

Ready to go out on the town before summer ends? In parts of the U.S., you might have to carry your COVID-19 vaccine card or a digital copy to get into restaurants, bars, nightclubs and outdoor music festivals.

Former Ald. Ricardo Muñoz Set to Plead Guilty to Federal Fraud, Money Laundering Charges

The former 22nd Ward alderman appears set to plead guilty three months after being indicted on charges that he drained more than $38,000 from the bank account of the City Council’s Progressive Reform Caucus and used those funds to pay for trips, jewelry, iPhones and tickets to sporting events.

Chicago Expands COVID-19 Travel Advisory to Include Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa

The advisory now covers 31 states — including those that border Illinois — as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Unvaccinated visitors to Chicago from those states are urged to quarantine for 10 days or record a negative test within 72 hours of their arrival, officials said.

Big Win for $1T Infrastructure Bill: Senate Shows it Can Act

With a robust vote after weeks of fits and starts, the Senate approved a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan on Tuesday, a rare coalition of Democrats and Republicans joining to overcome skeptics and deliver a cornerstone of President Joe Biden’s agenda.

Meet a ‘Yarn Bomber’ Who Has Made Chicago Her Canvas

If you’ve seen random objects covered in yarn and wondered what they were, you’re in luck: We introduce you to Valerie Sherman, whose favorite pastime has led to a citywide beautification project.

Critics of Property Tax Appeals Board Say It’s Time to End the Experiment

There are four ways to appeal property tax assessments in Cook County. But is that a good thing? Former state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie and Assessor Fritz Kaegi weigh in.

Senate Dems Unveil $3.5T Budget for Social, Climate Efforts

Senate Democrats unwrapped a budget resolution Monday envisioning a massive $3.5 trillion, 10-year cascade of federal resources, aiming historic sums at family support, health and education programs and an aggressive drive to heal the climate. 

2 Brothers Charged in Fatal Shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French

Emonte Morgan, 21, and his brother Eric Morgan, 22, each face criminal charges stemming from the Saturday night shooting in West Englewood that left one police officer dead and another in critical condition.

Celebrating Bernstein’s Broadway Songbook at Ravinia

“Unboxing Bernstein: A Live Revue” served as a stirring reminder of Leonard Bernstein’s genius for mixing and matching musical genres. 

Indiana Man Charged With Illegally Buying Gun Used to Kill Police Officer Ella French

Jamel Danzy, 29, of Hammond, Indiana, was arrested Sunday and has been charged with conspiracy to violate federal firearm laws.

Millions of Americans Support Use of Force to Restore Trump to White House: Report

An estimated 21 million Americans believe that Joe Biden is an illegitimate president and that Donald Trump should be restored to the White House by force, according to a new report from the University of Chicago. We discuss the findings with political science professor Robert Pape, who led the survey.
 

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