Stories by Associated Press

The conservative-dominated Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions, adding affirmative action to major cases on abortion, guns, religion and COVID-19 already on the agenda.

You’ve heard of blizzards and maybe even the polar vortex, but have you heard of ice pancakes? What about ice bites or ice jams? These unique names sound fascinating but require specific weather conditions.

As of 6 a.m. Sunday, snowfall totals measured 3.6 inches at Midway Airport, 3.5 inches at O’Hare Airport and 2.8 inches in Romeoville, according to the National Weather Service. Another round of snow is expected Monday morning. 

The US Food and Drug Administration could decide in the coming days to take steps to curb the use of antibody treatments produced by Eli Lilly and Regeneron, the source said, pointing to the growing body of evidence that shows their monoclonal therapies don't effectively neutralize the virus’ omicron variant.

Hilary Knight, who grew up in north suburban Lake Forest, is making her U.S. women’s hockey record-matching fourth Olympic appearance in which she’s won a gold and two silvers.

The wave of infections brought on by the omicron variant and a shortage of treatments have focused attention on the policies. Medical experts say the opposition is misleading. Health officials have long said there is a strong case for considering race as one of many risk factors in treatment decisions. And there is no evidence that race alone is being used to decide who gets medicine.

For Latino seniors, issues of language access, health inequities, lower incomes and documentation status can make the daily business of living even more complicated. "Latino Voices" met with an organization aiming to develop a strategic action plan for aging in Illinois. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not respond to a question from WTTW News about whether she thought it was appropriate for her appointees to reject the inspector general’s recommendation to fire an employee of the Chicago Department of Public Health and punish two other employees of the Department of Buildings responsible for approving and overseeing the implosion of the smokestack.

In January 2020, student journalists at DePaul University launched a Spanish-language platform reporting on Chicago’s Latino community, La DePaulia. We spoke to editor-in-chief and co-founder María Marta Guzmán and managing editor Erika Perez about the young news outlet’s first two years and their hopes for the future.

A historic moment in Evanston as the city determines who will be the first to receive reparations. We speak with two people behind the push to make it happen.

Beer is intended to be for everyone, of drinking age of course, but it’s not always made by everyone. The craft beer industry has historically been dominated by white men. That lack of diversity is the inspiration behind a new scholarship initiative in Illinois.

We speak with author and Chicagoan Zetta Elliott, who created the urban fantasy book series “Dragons in a Bag” to allow Black children to see themselves in the pages of fantasy books.

We’re about to enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with news that the omicron wave has passed its peak in Chicago, a light begins to appear at the end of the tunnel. But public health advocates are warning the city’s residents not to let their guards down just yet.

A look back, and ahead, as we enter year three of COVID-19. Renewed calls for action over the Little Village smokestack implosion. Helping seniors access resources. And La DePaulia turns two.

Reparations on the way for the first 16 Evanston residents selected in its program. Unresolved murder cases from the Civil Rights era get a fresh look. And a new brew for the beer industry.

The moves offer a preview of the persistent opposition Sinema will likely face within her own party in the two years before she next appears on a ballot. 

Mayor Lightfoot backs embattled top cop. Omicron wave may have peaked as local COVID-19 testing company faces fraud investigations. A shakeup in the Republican primary for governor. And a major merger in local journalism.

Deputy Mayor John O’Malley told members of the Chicago City Council’s Public Safety Committee that Lightfoot’s plan had been narrowed in response to criticism from members of the Chicago City Council, civil rights groups and police reform advocates. 

What this glorious, superbly performed concert did prove was that listening to these works without the element of dance that ordinarily is a crucial partner of the music, you begin to hear them in a wonderfully fresh and exciting way. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s pick to lead the agency charged with probing misconduct by members of the Chicago Police Department failed to advance Friday, even as she apologized again for releasing a report that recommended that Officer Ella French, slain in August, be disciplined for conduct during the botched raid of Anjanette Young’s home in February 2019.

“There are likely people here who liked it the way things were and who will push back and use media, become sources to create a lot of dysfunction,” Superintendent David Brown said. “We’re gonna push back, we’re gonna be the adults in the room.”

The papers echo previous research — including studies in Germany, South Africa and the U.K. — indicating available vaccines are less effective against omicron than earlier versions of the coronavirus, but also that boosters significantly improve protection.

Bob Goalby, who won the 1968 Masters without having to go to a playoff when Roberto De Vicenzo infamously signed for the wrong score, has died. He was 92.

Attorneys from the attorney general’s consumer fraud division are probing allegations that those who sought a COVID-19 test at pop-up sites run by the Center for Covid Control did not get their results as promised.

In recent years, Harvey has faced financial issues and political infighting, and it’s grappling with poverty, unemployment and crime. But officials and community leaders here say they're working to turn it around. And residents say even with the challenges the suburb faces, they feel proud of where they come from. 

Two milestones: President Biden's first year in office, and the second anniversary of COVID-19's arrival in Chicago. Harvey is our In Your Neighborhood stop tonight. And the International Puppet Fest.