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US Diplomat: Trump Linked Ukraine Aid to Demand for Probe
| Associated Press
A top U.S. diplomat testified Tuesday that President Donald Trump was holding back military aid for Ukraine unless the country agreed to investigate Democrats and a company linked to Joe Biden’s family.
Police Chief Skipping Trump’s 1st Chicago Visit as President
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s appearance next week at a police chiefs conference will be his first visit as president to Chicago, a city he has ridiculed for years. The city’s top cop plans to skip the speech, even though he’s hosting the event.
How CPS Strike is Impacting High School Seniors Applying for College
| Brandis Friedman
There is still no deal between the city and the Chicago Teachers Union, and the strike is raising specific concerns for some high school seniors. Meanwhile, a former teacher-turned-presidential hopeful rallied with the CTU on Tuesday morning.
‘Information Wars’ Author Says US Losing Battle Against Disinformation
| Paul Caine
A former Time editor and State Department official on fighting for truth in the age of disinformation. Richard Stengel tells us about his new book “Information Wars.”
Cook County Assessor’s Office Criticized Over Pace of Reforms
| Andrea Guthmann
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has promised to fix a broken property tax system and end political patronage hiring. But a recent report found that the assessor’s office is not complying with a series of federal court orders. Kaegi joins us to discuss that and more.
A Preview of Mayor Lightfoot’s Budget Address
| Alexandra Silets
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday will deliver her first budget address, with an expected plan to close an $838 million budget deficit. She’s already accounted for $200 million of that with a proposal to refinance $1.3 billion in city borrowing.
Crain’s Headlines: McDonald’s Struggling to Attract US Customers
| WTTW News
Amid fierce fast-food competition, McDonald’s home market lost momentum in the latest quarter. Bloomberg reports that same-store sales rose 5.9% globally, but the Chicago-based fast food giant is struggling to attract customers in the U.S.
At the Driehaus Museum, a Chance to Look at Old Material in a New Light
| Marc Vitali
Louis Comfort Tiffany led an all-star team of artists and designers who could create almost anything out of glass: lamps, jewelry, mosaics and also artwork of a spiritual nature. We visit the exhibit “Eternal Light.”
New Play Brings Lenny Bruce Back to Life … and to Chicago
| Quinn Myers
Lenny Bruce has been called one of the most influential comedians of all time. Joe Montegna and Ronnie Marmo give us a sneak peek into their one-man play about the controversial comedian, which opens this week in Chicago.
Federal Judge Refuses to Toss Out Chicago’s Lawsuit Against Jussie Smollett
| Matt Masterson
The city of Chicago is seeking $130,000 in reimbursement for police overtime costs spent investigating the former “Empire” star’s allegedly false claims. A judge on Tuesday said that lawsuit “will be going forward.”
Illinois Attorney General Expands Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers, Distributors
| Kristen Thometz
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office is seeking to add Irish pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt to its lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the nation’s opioid epidemic.
Trump Likens House Impeachment Inquiry to ‘A Lynching’
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump injected racial overtones into the House impeachment inquiry Tuesday by comparing the Democratic-led investigation into his handling of U.S. policy toward Ukraine to a “lynching.”
Trump Viewed Ukraine as Adversary, Not Ally, Witnesses Say
| Associated Press
The president, according to people familiar with testimony in the House impeachment investigation, sees the Eastern European ally, not Russia, as responsible for the interference in the 2016 election that was investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller.
2019 Jeff Award Winners Capture Richness of Chicago Theater Scene
| Hedy Weiss
The exceptional breadth, depth and variety of Chicago theater was on full display Monday night as the winners of the 2019 Jeff Equity Awards were announced. Here are the highlights.
Lightfoot Asks CTU to End Strike Before Contract Agreement is Finalized
| Matt Masterson
In a letter sent Monday to CTU President Jesse Sharkey, Mayor Lori Lightfoot urges the union to halt its work stoppage while negotiations continue because “our students and families are sacrificing a great deal that cannot be recovered.”
Chicago’s Old Post Office Gets Multimillion-Dollar Makeover
| Paul Caine
The hulking Old Post Office building that lay empty for the best part of two decades – and that many feared might never be redeveloped – will soon reopen. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in on the landmark.
How Parents of CPS Students Are Coping With Canceled Classes
| Evan Garcia
Parents across the city again have to figure out what to do with their children who attend Chicago Public Schools. We check in with four parents of CPS students who joined us last week ahead of the expected strike.
The Story of Mold-A-Rama, Chicago’s Very Own Souvenir Machine
| Evan Garcia
For more than 50 years, vending machines scattered throughout Chicago-area zoos and museums have sold visitors souvenirs made of melted plastic. Meet the man keeping the vintage technology alive.
Crain’s Headlines: More Problems for Troubled Ford Factory
| WTTW News
The Ford plant on the city’s Far South Side has been causing some big headaches for the automaker, which is expected to report lower profits this week in a third quarter earnings report.
High Water Levels in Lake Michigan Could Remain Though Early 2020
| Quinn Myers
With near record high water levels, Lake Michigan swallowed up beaches, piers and sidewalks across Chicago and the region this summer. An Army Corps forecast shows those levels may persist into next year.
Trump Laments G-7 Move From Doral After Bipartisan Pushback
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump lashed out Monday at critics who prompted him to move next year’s Group of Seven summit from his private golf club in Florida, claiming he would have hosted it for free and now it will end up costing taxpayers “a fortune.”
City Animal Shelter Completes $1.5 Million Medical Unit Renovation
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago Animal Care and Control says its renovated facility and new medical equipment will allow staff to evaluate animals more quickly and carry out surgical procedures that will ultimately lead to more adoptions.
Sensational Actress Works Her Magic in Writers Theatre’s ‘A Doll’s House’
| Hedy Weiss
Writers Theatre’s production of “A Doll’s House,” cannily but faithfully adapted by Sandra Delgado and Michael Halberstam, and featuring a bravura performance by Cher Alvarez, brought the play back to life in the most unexpected ways.
Chicago Board of Education Meeting Postponed As CTU Strike Continues
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Board of Education is postponing its regular monthly meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, until the teachers union and SEIU Local 73 end their ongoing strike. In a statement, the board said this allows district leadership to focus on negotiations.
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