Stories by WTTW News
Study: Asian Carp Could Find Plenty of Food in Lake Michigan
| Associated Press
“Our study indicates that the carp can survive and grow in much larger areas of the lake than previous studies suggested,” said Peter Alsip, lead author of the paper.
Gun-Control Backers Concerned About Changing Federal Courts
| Associated Press
A federal judiciary that is becoming increasingly conservative under President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has gun control advocates on edge.
The Week in Review: Trump Teases Blagojevich Pardon, Again
| Nick Blumberg
President Trump once again dangles a commutation for Rod Blagojevich. Mayor Lightfoot spars with judges on gun violence. And optimism surrounds the Bears at their first preseason game.
Trump Says He Wants Background Checks, Also Reassures NRA
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump said Friday he believes he has influence to rally Republicans around stronger federal background check laws as Congress and the White House work on a response to last weekend’s mass shootings in Texas and Ohio.
At Ravinia, Russian Piano Master Pays Spellbinding Homage to Another
| Hedy Weiss
Rachmanioff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” is awash in ravishing melodies and virtuosic thrills, and Denis Matsuev brought such volcanic power, exquisite lyricism and absolute fluidity to the fiendishly demanding work that it felt as if he himself were writing the demonic piece on the spot.
USDA Declares Agriculture Disaster in Illinois Following Floods
| Alex Ruppenthal
The move comes in the wake of near-record levels of flooding this spring that forced farmers to delay planting crops.
How Clean is the Chicago River? A New Project Wants to Show You in Real Time
| Alex Ruppenthal
What lies below the surface of the Chicago River today is not what it was a century ago, but pollution is still a problem. A Chicago nonprofit aims to offer real-time water quality data to the public later this year.
Lightfoot’s CPS Budget Proposes Millions for Upgrades, Improvements
| Brandis Friedman
Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveils her first budget proposal for Chicago Public Schools – and it comes as she negotiates a new contract with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Landmark Status in Pilsen: Good or Bad for the Neighborhood?
| WTTW News
The Pilsen neighborhood has been at the center of battles over gentrification. Now the longtime Mexican American community is facing a new twist involving old buildings.
Chief Judge Evans: Gun Violence Not the Result of Bail Reform
| Alexandra Silets
Chief Judge Timothy Evans responds to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s concerns about suspects with illegal guns getting out on bail.
Meet the YouTube Botanist with a Thick Chicago Accent and Foul Mouth
| Evan Garcia
Joey Santore isn’t your typical plant expert, but his colorful style and depth of knowledge have proved popular. We go for a stroll through Wolf Road Prairie, an 80-acre nature preserve in Chicago’s western suburbs.
Deep Frydays: Hot Tips
| Nick Blumberg
Since the rib tip is not only a Chicago institution but also a finger food, we decided it was the best candidate this week for a beer-batter-and-hot-oil dunk.
UChicago Empower Initiative Adds Diversity to Student Body
| Paul Caine
A year after announcing it was dropping mandatory SATs as part of its admissions process and increasing financial aid for low-income and rural students, the University of Chicago is seeing an impact on enrollment.
Nearly 2 Billion Opioid Pills Supplied to Illinois Over 7 Years
| Kristen Thometz
A yearslong investigation by the Washington Post offers a state-by-state snapshot of the opioid crisis. What the data says about Illinois – and what the state is doing to fight back.
Mother of Man Fatally Shot by Chicago Police Suing City for Wrongful Death
| Matt Masterson
Latricia Brown is seeking damages for what she claims is the wrongful death of her son, 26-year-old Sharell Brown, who was shot and killed in May during an encounter with police.
White Sox, Yankees to Play at ‘Field of Dreams’ in 2020
| Associated Press
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that the White Sox will play host to the Yankees in Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 13, 2020.
Fox: Jussie Smollett Gone from ‘Empire,’ Character Lives On
| Associated Press
“You’ll see pictures of him in the background,” Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said, without elaborating. He promised “surprises at the beginning of the season that you’re going to love.”
Trump ‘Thinking Very Seriously’ About Commuting Blagojevich’s Sentence
| Amanda Vinicky
President Donald Trump tells reporters he is “thinking very seriously” about commuting the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a 2010 contestant on “The Apprentice” who is now halfway through his 14-year prison sentence.
Spotlight Politics: State Sen. Tom Cullerton Fights Federal Indictment
| Amanda Vinicky
An indicted state senator keeping a leadership post, and city officials react to deadly shootings. Our politics team weighs in on those stories and more in our weekly roundtable.
Racial Tensions Boiling Over in City Water Department
| Paris Schutz
Two years after a scathing report unveiled a rampant problem at the Department of Water Management, more employees are speaking out about what they call a toxic culture at the city agency.
2 Senators Ask MLB For Data on Foul Ball Injuries
| Associated Press
Illinois’ two senators continued their pressure campaign on Major League Baseball to be more proactive about fan safety at ballparks, urging greater transparency about how often and how seriously fans are hurt by foul balls.
New Community Garden Aims to Shed Light on Urban Indians
| Nicole Cardos
The First Nations Garden in Albany Park was created by the American Indian Center and the Chi-Nations Youth Council in partnership with the city of Chicago. “It’s become a beacon for native people,” said 17-year-old Adrien Pochel.
Research Collaborative Partners with Communities to Address Chicago’s Gun Violence
| Kristen Thometz
A group dedicated to addressing Chicago’s gun violence offers an update on what it’s learned through conversations with community members impacted by gun violence in the North and South Lawndale neighborhoods.
CPS Teacher Shortage Hits Black and Special Needs Students Hardest
| Paul Caine
Each year, hundreds of Chicago Public Schools are having to make do without teachers and substitutes because of a teacher shortage. But according to new reporting from WBEZ, that shortfall does not impact all schools and students equally.
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