Stories by Erica Gunderson
Northwestern Medicine Study Suggests Multidisciplinary Care Best for Long COVID Patients
| Erica Gunderson
The Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive COVID-19 Center released the results of a study on 1,200 long COVID patients. According the CDC, one in five COVID-19 patients experienced long COVID three months later, about 150 million adults in the U.S.
Chef Carlos Gaytán on Demystifying Mexican Cuisine Through Social Media
| Erica Gunderson
With slim margins and constantly shifting trends, the restaurant industry can be a tough business. Chef Carlos Gaytán uses thoughtful social media content to both attract more business and educate diners about the flavors of his home country.
‘Encendidas: Women of the Young Lords’ Exhibit Reveals History of Women in Puerto Rican Civil Rights Organization
| Erica Gunderson
Throughout much of Chicago’s history, immigrant communities have made their voices heard socially and politically through the formation of street gangs. During the 1960s in Lincoln Park, a Puerto Rican gang called the Young Lords came together after being pushed out of the barrio due to urban renewal projects.
El Milagro Workers Reach Settlement in Complaint Involving Labor Organizing
| Erica Gunderson
Beginning in 2021, workers at the El Milagro tortilla factories went public with their complaints about working conditions and labor violations, including charges of intimidation, harassment and retaliation.
Chicago Police Officer Who Had ‘Improper Sexual Relationship’ With 911 Caller Suspended 9 Months
| Matt Masterson
The board reached an 8-1 decision to suspend Officer Daniel Otero for 270 days for violating a CPD rule which prohibits “any action or conduct which impedes the Department’s efforts to achieve its policy and goals or brings discredit upon the Department.”
Structural Racism May Contribute to Mass Shootings in Cities, New Study Says
Chicago had the greatest number of mass shootings in the study.
| CNN
Chicago had the greatest number of mass shootings during that period with 141, which led to 97 deaths and 583 injuries. According to the study, Milwaukee had the highest segregation index.
Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Other Tech Companies Agree to AI Safeguards Set by the White House
| Associated Press
The White House said Friday that it has secured voluntary commitments from seven U.S. companies meant to ensure their AI products are safe before they release them.
Tony Bennett, Masterful Stylist of American Musical Standards, Dies at 96
| Associated Press
The last of the great saloon singers of the mid-20th century, Bennett often said his lifelong ambition was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records.” He released more than 70 albums, bringing him 19 competitive Grammys and enjoyed deep and lasting affection from fans and fellow artists.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Tacos y Tamales Festival, Explore Ancient Nightlife
| Erica Demarest
Glass painting, summer festivals and Pompeii at night usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
July 20, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The Chicago connection to the new blockbuster movie “Oppenheimer.” How the Cook County sheriff plans to help people when they get out of jail. And inside the city’s contribution to hip-hop.
As ‘Oppenheimer’ Opens, Here’s How Chicago Gave Birth to the Nuclear Age
| Paul Caine
“Oppenheimer,” the much-anticipated blockbuster from Batman director Christopher Nolan, hits movie theaters this week. The story has deep connections to Chicago and the Manhattan Project that led to the development of the first atomic bomb.
At Humboldt Park Hub, Cook County Sheriff’s Office Helps People Released From Jail
| Joanna Hernandez
“We’re doing all this work with people and mental illness and working with their individual issues, but then when they would leave us, they would go out to the community with minimal services,” Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said. “And I said, OK, we will set up our own services office.”
Homicides in 30 US Cities Dropped by Nearly 10% in First Half of 2023 Compared to Last Year, Study Finds
| CNN
In the 30 cities examined, homicides declined 9.4% in the first half of this year compared to the first half of last year, with about 200 fewer homicides in that period.
Senate Committee Led by Dick Durbin Approves Bill to Impose Stronger Ethics Standards on Supreme Court Justices
| Associated Press
The Supreme Court would have to abide by stronger ethics standards under legislation approved on Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation has little chance to make it through the full Senate.
Labor Board Finds Merit in Union Allegations Against Howard Brown Health
| Blair Paddock
The National Labor Relations Board found merit or partial merit in the union’s allegations, which include Howard Brown Health participating in bad faith bargaining, creating the impression of surveillance, failing to provide information and declaring impasse and refusing to bargain over layoffs.
Actors and Writers on Strike Rally in Chicago, Philadelphia as Union Action Spreads
| Associated Press
In Chicago, hundreds of strikers — many wearing black SAG T-shirts — marched and chanted at Millennium Park and Grant Park, “We’re union/United/Never be divided.” A small brass band played “This Land Is Your Land.”
Gospel Meets R&B as Two Stellar Performers Capture the Lives of ‘Marie and Rosetta’
| Hedy Weiss
“Marie and Rosetta” tells the tale of singers Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The play is a story of personal liberation as achieved through a hybrid of musical styles and the friendship of opposites.
Second Installment of 2022 Cook County Property Tax Bills Will Be Months Late, Again
| Heather Cherone
The second-installment of property owners’ 2022 tax bills will be more than 120 days late amid months of bureaucratic wrangling and finger pointing among Cook County officials.
U.S. Postal Service Offering Reward After Mail Carriers Robbed in Chicago, Suburbs
| Matt Masterson
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has announced a $50,000 reward after an employee was robbed in suburban River Grove Tuesday morning. Another postal carrier was reportedly robbed in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
July 19, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on how she’ll implement the new no cash bail law. Northwestern football players speak out about alleged abuse. And the fate of plowing the city’s sidewalks.
Kim Foxx Sees Elimination of Cash Bail as Step Toward Equal Justice
| Blair Paddock
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has pushed for the elimination of cash bail, calling it “a monumental milestone toward achieving equal justice.”
City Council Rejects Lawyers’ Recommendation to Pay $2M to Family of Man Killed by Chicago Police Officer After 2014 Foot Chase
| Heather Cherone
The 22-26 vote represented a rare, if not unprecedented, decision by the City Council to reject a proposed settlement after it was endorsed by the Finance Committee and the mayor.
Illinois Lawmakers Criticize Pritzker Administration’s Handling of Noncitizen Health Care Limits
| Andrew Adams — Capitol News Illinois
The controversy centers on the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs, which provide health care benefits to low-income noncitizens who would qualify for Medicaid benefits if not for their citizenship status.
Loretto Hospital Workers Deliver 10-Day Strike Notice to Management: ‘Everyone Here Needs to Have a Living Wage’
| Eunice Alpasan
Nearly 200 workers at Loretto Hospital in Austin delivered a 10-day strike notice to management Wednesday over calls to address low wages and unsafe staffing conditions.
‘You’re Overpowered’: Former Northwestern Players Allege Culture of Hazing, Abuse in Football Program and Beyond
| Nick Blumberg
A group of 15 ex-Northwestern athletes represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and Chicago-based colleagues say they plan to file suit against the university in the near future.
Chicago Board of Education to Consider X-Ray Contract Renewal As Schools Rethink Safety Strategies
| Matt Masterson
While the board won’t officially vote on that contract until next week, some members questioned whether the X-rays actually improve safety for students at schools.
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