Stories by Paris Schutz
Motor Vehicle Thefts in Chicago Have Jumped by 139% in 3 Years, While Only 4% Are Solved
| Paris Schutz
Adding to the problem, the Chicago Police Department has linked several recent robbery sprees to stolen vehicles. That comes as carmakers Kia and Hyundai face scrutiny for failing to provide adequate security systems for their cars.
It’s a (Very Tall) Girl! Brookfield Zoo Welcomes Baby Giraffe
| Patty Wetli
The 6-foot, 130-pound calf was born Aug. 19, Brookfield Zoo announced Monday.
Indiana’s Near-Total Abortion Ban Set to Take Effect Within Days as State Supreme Court Denies Rehearing
| Associated Press
In a 4-1 decision Monday, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its order that Planned Parenthood and other health care providers “cannot show a reasonable likelihood of success” with their challenge to the abortion restrictions.
It Could Feel Like 115 Degrees This Week as Weather Service Issues Excessive Heat Watch for Chicago
| Patty Wetli
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Wednesday and Thursday, when the combination of high temperatures and oppressive humidity are expected to create dangerous conditions.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a Stunning Ravinia Performance of Shostakovich’s ‘Symphony No. 5’ and More
| Hedy Weiss
For the second half of its Ravinia Festival concert this past Thursday the Chicago Symphony Orchestra delivered a bravura performance of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s extraordinary “Symphony No. 5” and it couldn’t have been more timely in subtle way.
First GOP Presidential Debate Puts Spotlight on Wisconsin, One of the Few Remaining Swing States
| Associated Press
Republicans chose Milwaukee for the first debate and for the national convention in just 11 months largely because of Wisconsin’s well-earned status as a swing state. Four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by less than a percentage point.
Screen Time Linked With Toddler Developmental Delays, New Study Finds
| CNN
Having anywhere from one to four hours of screen time per day at age 1 is linked with higher risks of developmental delays in communication, fine motor, problem-solving and personal and social skills by age 2, according to the study.
CPS Students Head Back to School Monday as Excessive Heat Looms
| Matt Masterson
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates at Beidler Elementary School on the city’s West Side early Monday as kids began the 2023-24 school year.
4 Teens Among 7 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, seven people were killed over the weekend between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. During that time 40 people were shot in total, in 33 separate incidents.
Residents React to Chicago Top Cop Selection, Share Hopes for Community Engagement: ‘It’s a Two-Way Street’
| Erica Gunderson
If confirmed as superintendent, Larry Snelling faces a delicate balancing act — addressing the crime and violence that have plagued Chicago while also changing the way CPD trains and disciplines its officers.
Black Students Face Continuing Challenges in Chicago Public Schools
| Erica Gunderson
Data has shown that Black students in CPS schools are disproportionately subject to discipline, underrepresented in the city’s top-rated high schools and have to travel the farthest of any demographic group to get to school.
Local Initiative Works to Address High Maternal Mortality Rates in Black Communities
| Blair Paddock
Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s a grim reality that led advocates to start The Gathering campaign.
Taqueria Las Flores Owner Hoping to Rebuild After Fire Destroys North Park Restaurant
| Joanna Hernandez
Jazmin Flores, the young entrepreneur and owner of Taqueria Las Flores, used her savings to open the restaurant four years ago. She stayed open through the pandemic and navigated financial struggles. Now she’s forced to start over.
‘Somos Un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico’ Creates Cultural Connections Aug. 26
| Erica Gunderson
A first-ever concert will bring the musical traditions of Chicago’s two largest Latino communities together at Millennium Park.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 18, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
It’s back to school for CPS students — we talk about the challenges ahead this school year. A new effort to reduce maternal mortality. And The Last Word on mentoring.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Aug. 18, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What the promotion of CPD’s Chief Larry Snelling means for public safety. A cross-cultural musical collaboration in Millennium Park. And rebuilding a taqueria from scratch.
Week in Review: Johnson Makes Big Moves; Mapes Trial Continues
| Alexandra Silets
Larry Snelling gets Mayor Johnson’s nod to lead the Chicago Police Department. Illinois Democrats and Republicans call each other out at the state fair. And the playoff-contending Cubs walk all over the bottom-feeding Sox.
‘The Last Word’ on Providing Positive Role Models for Black Girls
| Erica Gunderson
In her sophomore year of college, Jamila Trimuel became a mentor. In 2011, she started her own organization, Ladies of Virtue, which offers mentorship and support to girls ages 9-18.
Newberry Library to Offer Closer Look at 1915 Eastland Disaster With Newly Acquired Collection
| Eunice Alpasan
The Eastland Disaster, often overlooked in history, occurred in 1915 when a passenger ship docked at the Clark Street Bridge tipped over in the Chicago River, leading to the deaths of 844 people.
Illinois to Put $20 Million Toward Grants for Grocers, Research Into Food Insecurity
New law aims to alleviate ‘food deserts’ throughout the state
| Andrew Adams — Capitol News Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a bill that sets up a program to distribute $20 million for grants and technical assistance for grocery stores as well as funding research into food insecurity.
Prosecutors Set to Rest Their Case Monday in Perjury Trial of Madigan’s Ex-Chief of Staff Tim Mapes
| Matt Masterson
The prosecution was expected to formally rest Friday, the trial’s ninth day at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown, but due to technical delays and ongoing testimony, that will be pushed back to the start of next week.
Federal Agencies Investigating Death of 3-Year-Old Asylum-Seeker Who Was on Texas-Sponsored Bus to Chicago
| CNN
A 3-year-old migrant girl who was on a Texas-sponsored bus to Chicago died last week, prompting investigations by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies, authorities said.
Donald Trump Cancels Press Conference, Reacts to Georgia Indictment for First Time on Camera: ‘I Have Four of Them Now’
| CNN
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday reacted for the first time on camera to the Georgia indictment that accuses him of being the head of a “criminal enterprise” to overturn the 2020 election, dismissing the criminal charges as a “witch hunt” and a “horrible thing for the country.”
Longtime Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews Says He’s Stepping Away From Hockey for Health — But Not Retiring
| Associated Press
“I’d like to announce that I am not fully retiring, but I am taking time away from the game again this season,” said Toews, who also missed all of the 2020-21 season with symptoms of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome.
Johnson’s Pick for Top Cop Served as Go-To Expert Witness in Police Misconduct Trials
| Heather Cherone
Chief Larry Snelling, tapped by Mayor Brandon Johnson to lead the Chicago Police Department, served as an expert witness in more than two dozen civil and criminal cases involving police officers, according to court records reviewed by WTTW News.
Aug. 17, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The latest in the trial of Michael Madigan’s former chief of staff. What’s behind the rash of postal worker assaults. And a Chicago singer-songwriter by way of Honduras.
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