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Illinois Launches Hotline for COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
| Kristen Thometz
A new call center will help eligible Illinois residents — including those without access to the internet — secure a coveted COVID-19 vaccine appointment by phone.
Cook County Launches ‘My Shot’ Campaign to Address Vaccine Hesitancy
| Kristen Thometz
Personal stories from Cook County residents who have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine highlight a new campaign that aims to dispel misinformation and encourage others to roll up their sleeves when it’s their turn.
COPA Completes Investigation Into Officers Who Worked Under Ronald Watts
| Matt Masterson
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability announced the conclusion of its investigation into misconduct allegations made against members of a tactical team led by a disgraced former police sergeant, and has delivered its first report of findings and recommendations to Police Superintendent David Brown.
Chicago Parish Fiercely Backs Priest After Sex Abuse Claims
| Associated Press
After the first allegations surfaced in January, the Archdiocese of Chicago temporarily removed Michael Pfleger to investigate, leading to fierce backlash from parishioners trying to clear his name. They’ve flooded the archdiocese’s phone lines and staged rallies. They’ve also challenged the accusers’ accounts.
Snow and Pretty Much Every Other Kind of Precipitation on Tap Monday
| Patty Wetli
A system carrying moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will hit the area late Monday morning through early afternoon, bringing with it rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow.
Folk Legend John Prine Wins Pair of Posthumous Awards at the Grammys
| Patty Wetli
John Prine’s “I Remember Everything” won Grammys for best American roots song and best American roots performance. The singer-songwriter died in April 2020 from the coronavirus.
Life on the Bubble: Brackets Set for Return of March Madness
| Associated Press
The biggest unknown leading into a March Madness bracket reveal more than a year in the making had nothing to do with bubble teams or top seeds. Instead, it was the not-so-simple matter of which programs would be healthy enough to play.
2 Killed, 13 Wounded at Party on Chicago’s South Side
| Associated Press
Gunfire erupted at a party on Chicago’s South Side early Sunday, killing two people and wounding 13 others in what authorities say may have been a gang-related shooting.
‘Big Burden’ for Schools Trying to Give Kids Internet Access
| Associated Press
In Chicago, philanthropy paid for nearly half the $50 million, four-year Chicago Connected program, which pays for kids’ home internet if they qualify for reduced-price lunches. Chicago Public Schools, the country’s third-largest district, is on the hook for $25 million.
Fauci: Trump Should Urge His Followers to Get Vaccinated
| Associated Press
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday he wishes former President Donald Trump would use his popularity among Republicans to persuade more of his followers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
City Opens United Center Vaccine Registration to Additional South, West Side Communities
| WTTW News
In an effort to boost the vaccination rate in Chicago communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, city officials announced Saturday that residents of four additional zip codes would be eligible to make appointments at the United Center mass vaccination site.
Nurses Fight Conspiracy Theories Along With Coronavirus
| Associated Press
Bogus claims about the virus, masks and vaccines have exploded since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic a year ago. Journalists, public health officials and tech companies have tried to push back against the falsehoods, but much of the job of correcting misinformation has fallen to the world’s front-line medical workers.
Back to School: How You Can Support Students and Teachers During the Pandemic
| CNN
After a year of online or hybrid learning, educators continue to juggle a variety of roles — including providing tech support to some students — all while trying to keep safe from coronavirus. Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen, some students and their families have struggled to keep up.
Millions are Under Winter Storm Advisories as Blizzards and Heavy Rain Move Across the US
| CNN
Snow through central portions of the US is expected to ramp up Saturday, but likely won’t reach its peak until Sunday. Flood alerts are also a big concern for this system in the Midwest. With some rivers nearing flood stage, the anticipated heavy rain could take the rivers to dangerous levels.
Chicago Surprises the City with Green River for St. Patrick’s Day After Saying Event was Canceled
| CNN
Even with the second straight year of no parades in honor of the Irish inspired holiday, at least one Chicago tradition broke through.
Philly to Dim Lights to Make it Safer for Birds in Flight
| Associated Press
The National Audubon Society, along with partners, established the first Lights Out program in 1999 in Chicago. Philadelphia joins 33 other cities including New York, Boston, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
A Look at Big Settlements in US Police Killings
| Associated Press
The attorney for George Floyd’s family said Friday that a $27 million settlement of a federal lawsuit by the city of Minneapolis is the largest pretrial civil rights settlement ever.
Get Ready to Spring Forward This Weekend. Yep, We’re Still Doing Daylight Saving Time
| Patty Wetli
The annual shift to daylight saving time happens this weekend, with clocks jumping forward an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday. While loads of digital devices make the switch automatically, the process of resetting biological clocks is still a chore.
The Week in Review: Biden’s ‘Help is on the Way’ in Form of Vaccines and Stimulus Aid
| Alexandra Silets
Illinois officials plan on how to spend roughly $13 billion from the stimulus bill. Mayor Lightfoot hints at a near normal summer for Chicago. State lawmakers head back to Springfield. And Loyola and the University of Illinois brace for the NCAA tournament.
Minneapolis to Pay $27M to Settle Floyd Family Lawsuit
| Associated Press
Floyd family attorney Ben Crump called it the largest pretrial settlement ever for a civil rights claim, and thanked city leaders for “showing you care about George Floyd.”
Obama in Upcoming Podcast Credits His Mother for His Path
| Associated Press
"Renegades: Born in the USA," is an eight-episode series of conversations between the former president and Bruce Springsteen.
Conflict Grows Between US and Allies Over Vaccine Supply
| Associated Press
Even though it is not approved in the U.S., well over 10 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine are stockpiled in the country for domestic use and cannot be exported under the terms of the company’s agreement with the federal government.
This Legislation Could End Illinois’ Payday Loan Industry
| Paris Schutz
Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature could shut down the payday lending industry in Illinois, but payday proponents say that could lead to a host of bigger problems.
Illinois Attorney General Warns of Tax Scams Ahead of Filing Deadline
| Matt Masterson
With just a month left until the annual tax filing deadline, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging Illinoisians to take precautions before hiring a tax preparation business amid consumer complaints.
Bird vs. Building: Migration Season Already Claiming Victims
| Patty Wetli
An American woodcock, one of the earliest migratory arrivals in Chicago, is recovering from a head wound and broken clavicle after colliding with a building in Chicago.
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