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The Ash Tree’s Last Stand, And Why It Matters
| Patty Wetli
The city has given up on its ash trees, but some Chicagoans refuse to let theirs die.
Illinois’ Coronavirus Total Rises to 19 as 8 More Test Positive
| Kristen Thometz
State and local health officials reported the first cases of the novel coronavirus outside of Cook County as they announced eight more people have tested positive for the virus.
CPS Not Yet Planning to Close More Schools Amid Coronavirus Testing at Vaughn
| Matt Masterson
No additional students or faculty members at Vaughn Occupational High School have tested positive for COVID-19 after one staffer was found to have contracted the virus last week.
FDA, FTC Issue Warnings to Companies Claiming to Treat, Prevent Coronavirus
| Kristen Thometz
There are currently no vaccines or drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, yet some companies are selling products purporting to do just that. “The FDA considers the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products to be a threat to the public health,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn.
Missouri Virus Case Shows 1 Exposure Can Mean Major Response
| Associated Press
An Indiana University student landed in O’Hare International Airport after a trip to Italy. She took a train to a St. Louis station shared by Amtrak and the Greyhound bus service. Her father failed to heed a self-quarantine warning.
Illinois Supreme Court Candidates’ Approach to Justice
| Amanda Vinicky
Cook County voters have a rare opportunity this year to choose an Illinois Supreme Court justice. Given the lack of Republican interest, the winner of next week’s Democratic primary is a shoo-in for the spot. What sets the seven candidates apart?
Pritzker Issues Disaster Proclamation as 4 More People Test Positive for Coronavirus
| Paris Schutz
In Illinois, 11 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to state and local health officials. “I want folks to understand this is going to affect your daily life,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a Monday news conference.
National Geographic Live Comes to Chicago to Highlight Plight of Orangutans
| Paul Caine
For the past 25 years, Cheryl Knott and her husband Tim Laman have dedicated their lives to the orangutans that live in Borneo’s Gunung Palung National Park. On Tuesday, they’ll highlight the great ape’s plight with a talk.
‘Her Honor’ Tells Story of When Mayor Byrne Moved into Cabrini Green
| Marc Vitali
On stage at Lookingglass Theatre, a new play looks at a Chicago moment from March 1981 when Jane Byrne, the city’s first woman mayor, moved into the Cabrini-Green housing project.
Stocks Slide Over Oil War and Coronavirus Fears
| Alexandra Silets
Fears over the coronavirus and an oil price war sank the Dow Jones Industrial on Monday, while the S&P 500 had its worst day since 2008.
Crain’s Headlines: Medical Association Cancels Conference Amid Coronavirus Fears
| WTTW News
The American College of Cardiology has called off its upcoming conference at McCormick Place due to coronavirus concerns, adding to a run of cancellations at the Chicago convention center because of the outbreak.
Testimony in Paul Bauer Murder Trial Delayed Due to ‘Extenuating Circumstances’
| Matt Masterson
The second week of testimony in the murder trial of Shomari Legghette was unexpectedly delayed Monday by an unknown issue “beyond the control of the court.”
US Prisons, Jails on Alert for Spread of Coronavirus
| Associated Press
There have been no reports of COVID-19 inside U.S. jails or prisons. But more people are incarcerated per capita here than in any other country in the world and prisons have become hot spots in other nations touched by the outbreak.
Look Up for Super Worm Moon Monday Night, First Supermoon of 2020
| Patty Wetli
March’s full moon is called the Worm Moon, and it will be an extra bright supermoon.
Nursing Homes Face Unique Challenge With Coronavirus
| Associated Press
From Miami to Seattle, nursing homes and other facilities for the elderly are stockpiling masks and thermometers, preparing for staff shortages and screening visitors to protect a particularly vulnerable population from the coronavirus.
Official: White House Didn’t Want to Tell Seniors Not to Fly
| Associated Press
The White House overruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus, a federal official told The Associated Press.
CPS Teacher’s Assistant Marks 6th Coronavirus Case in Illinois
| Brandis Friedman
A Chicago woman in her 50s who works at Chicago Public Schools in the city’s Portage Park neighborhood has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Week in Review: Lightfoot Endorses Biden Ahead of Illinois Primary
| Evan Garcia
Illinois’ top Democrats coalesce behind Joe Biden in the presidential primary. Bernie Sanders plans a Grant Park rally. A sixth person tests positive for the coronavirus in Illinois. And the police union votes for a new leader.
10 Questions with an Infectious Disease Doctor About Coronavirus
| Kristen Thometz
Who should be wearing masks? Is the virus seasonal? A local infectious disease physician answers these questions and others about COVID-19.
March (Wagering) Madness – You Can Bet on It
| Amanda Vinicky
For the first time, gamblers will be able to legally wager on sports games in Illinois starting at noon Monday, when Rivers Casino in Des Plaines opens its BetRivers Sportsbook.
City Grades Itself on Implementing Court-Enforced Police Department Overhaul
| Brandis Friedman
In a 23-page report filed Friday, the city of Chicago highlights the steps it has taken in the last six months to make progress on implementing a court-ordered consent decree.
Starbucks Pulls Plug on Reusable Cups Amid Coronavirus Fears
| Patty Wetli
Starbucks said it is “pausing” the use of personal cups in its stores as a precautionary response to the coronavirus epidemic.
It’s Daylight Saving Time. Get Ready to Lose an Hour of Your Weekend
| Patty Wetli
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour on Sunday.
All Eyes on Illinois Commerce Commission as Pipeline Expansion Finally Gets a Hearing
| Patty Wetli
Lawyers began presenting evidence Thursday as the Illinois Commerce Commission weighs a petition to double the throughput of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, which runs through the state.
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