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St. Patrick’s Day Miracle? The Chicago River WAS Dyed Green, After All
| Patty Wetli
The annual dyeing of the river was canceled downtown, but the waterway flowed emerald green on its North Branch.
Arc of Trump’s Coronavirus Comments Defies Reality on Ground
| Associated Press
In the course of a few weeks, President Donald Trump veered from confidently assuring Americans his administration had the coronavirus outbreak “very well under control” to declaring a national emergency.
Party’s Over: 4 States Close Bars, Restaurants Over Virus
| Associated Press
On Saturday night, revelers in many parts of the country ignored warnings against attending large gatherings to prevent the spread of coronavirus. On Sunday, it became clear that in many places, the party is over.
Chicago Showdown, Round One: Lost Chicago Buildings
| Nick Blumberg
With no hockey or basketball, delayed baseball and no March Madness, we don’t even have sports to turn to in these times of trouble. Enter the Chicago Showdown, four weeks of Chicago-themed brackets built to fuel friendly arguments – and we need your votes!
In ‘Unprecedented’ Move, Pritzker Orders Temporary Closure of Illinois Restaurants, Bars to Dine-In Customers
| Amanda Vinicky
The drastic measure comes as officials announced the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois has risen to 93. Restaurants can still serve food via delivery, or curbside pick-up. “This is another hard step to take,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.
Virus Screenings Jam US Airports; ‘Atrocious,’ a Flyer Says
| Associated Press
Weary travelers returning to the U.S. amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions are being greeted by long lines and hourslong waits for required medical screenings at airports.
The Week in Review: Schools Closed, Events Canceled as COVID-19 Spreads
| Evan Garcia
President Trump declares a national emergency as the coronavirus prompts event cancellations and school closures across the city and state. And primary races are down to the wire as Illinois voters head to the polls Tuesday.
Gov. Pritzker Orders Closure of All Illinois Schools, Including CPS, Over Coronavirus Concerns
| Kristen Thometz
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is ordering the closure of all public and private K-12 schools across the state, including Chicago Public Schools, starting Tuesday. It’s the largest closure to date related to the spread of the novel coronavirus in Illinois.
#ToiletPaperApocalypse: We Found the Natural Solution
| Patty Wetli
Here we are a nation on edge, the future uncertain, civilization as we know it seemingly on the brink of collapse. And our very first survival instinct is to hoard toilet paper.
Grubhub Changes Fee Structure as Coronavirus Eats into Restaurant Profits
| Kristen Thometz
To help alleviate the impact of coronavirus-related declines in restaurant sales, Chicago-based Grubhub announced a temporary change to its fee structure and a charitable fund to support impacted restaurants and drivers nationwide.
Trump Declares Coronavirus Pandemic a National Emergency
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump on Friday declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency in order to free up more money and resources. But he denied any responsibility for delays in making testing available for the new virus.
Shomari Legghette Found Guilty of Murder in 2018 Shooting of Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer
| Matt Masterson
A Cook County jury on Friday convicted Shomari Legghette of gunning down Chicago police Cmdr. Paul Bauer outside the Thompson Center, a shocking murder that marked the highest-ranking Chicago officer to be killed in the line of duty in decades.
Coronavirus: Complete Coverage from WTTW News
| WTTW News
Complete coverage of the novel coronavirus from WTTW News and “Chicago Tonight.”
Have You Heard About the Ultra-Hot Planet Where it Rains Iron? It’s Our New Obsession
| Patty Wetli
Think things are bleak on planet Earth? At lease it’s not raining metal. That’s the kind of bizarre climate scientists recently observed on an ultra-hot exoplanet they’ve dubbed WASP-76b, located 640 million light-years away.
Archdiocese of Chicago Suspends Mass, Closes Schools Due to Coronavirus
| Kristen Thometz
Mass at all Archdiocese of Chicago churches will be suspended starting Saturday until further notice in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. “This is not a decision I made lightly,” Archbishop Blase Cupich said in a statement.
The Next Tree-Killing Pest is Already Here. Join the Ranks of First Detectors
| Patty Wetli
The spotted lanternfly, oak wilt, gypsy moth and boxwood blight are among the latest threats in the plant world. And citizen scientists have a role to play when it comes to stopping the next plague.
How to Clean the Bundle of Germs That is Your Phone
| Associated Press
You’re washing your hands countless times a day to try to ward off the coronavirus. You should also wash that extension of your hand and breeding ground for germs — your phone. But cleaning your phone improperly can damage it.
Man Shot by Police in Chicago Subway Sues City, Officers
| Associated Press
Lawyers for a short-order cook shot by Chicago police trying to arrest him for using a subway train’s gangway doors filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging officers used excessive force in violation of policies laid out in court-monitored police reforms.
Officials Announce New Measures to Limit Coronavirus Spread as Illinois Cases Rise to 32
| Amanda Vinicky
Healthy students should still go to school, but for the next 30 days there should be no more parades, professional sports game, rock concerts and no banquets anywhere in Illinois as officials seek to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus.
2020 Census: Check Your Mail for a Census Form, Then Fill it Out Online
| Amanda Vinicky
If it hasn’t already, an invitation should be arriving in the mail any day now – an invitation to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. And for the first time, it’s possible to respond to the census over the internet.
How the Coronavirus is Impacting Chicago Businesses and Workers
| Quinn Myers
The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is being felt by industries and businesses in Chicago and across Illinois, from large hotel chains and restaurants to independent movie theaters and music venues.
US Stocks Plunge as Coronavirus Uncertainty Ravages Market
| Paul Caine
U.S. stocks on Thursday recorded their biggest single-day fall since the notorious Black Monday crash of 1987 as coronavirus fears accelerated.
Crain’s Headlines: Trump’s EU Travel Announcement Rattles Airlines
| WTTW News
United Airlines is already reeling from the coronavirus impact on travel to Asia. It’s getting another abrupt shock Thursday from President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend travel from Europe.
Candidate Forum: Kim Foxx Faces 3 Primary Challengers in State’s Attorney Race
| Alexandra Silets
Political ads have been flooding the airways for months in the race for Cook County state’s attorney. And they have been getting increasingly nasty.
Chicago Aldermen Urge Action on Peoples Gas Rates
| Paris Schutz
A committee of Chicago City Council members on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution calling on state lawmakers to take action on Peoples Gas rates, calling out the company for its multibillion-dollar System Modernization Program.
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