Stories by Rebecca Palmore

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Aug. 24-27

Scores of triathletes, saganaki, fancy footwork, food trucks and global grapes usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

New Mural Brightens Lake Shore Drive Underpass

A look at the creation of the latest mural from the Chicago Public Art Group.

Education Talks, Cartoon Controversy Continue

Illinois’ top legislators will meet Thursday to continue hammering out a deal on education funding, even as a controversy continues to swirl over an editorial cartoon that backs one of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s positions.

City, Obama Foundation Reveal More Presidential Center Details

The city will have to come up with tens of millions of dollars to realign the roads in Jackson Park to accommodate the wishes of the Obama Foundation, but they say it’s too soon to talk about exact costs.

Former Dancer Awarded $148M in Personal Injury Suit Against City

Tierney Darden was left paralyzed from the waist down after a bus shelter at O’Hare International Airport collapsed on her during a storm in 2015.

Aug. 23, 2017 - Full Show

Watch the Aug. 23, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

UChicago Scientists Track First X-Rays From Mysterious Supernovas

A discovery by Chicago scientists could lead to new understanding about the largest explosions in outer space. 

Source to Sea: Paul Meincke Completes His Mississippi River Canoe Trip

Reflections on a 70-day canoe trip from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the mouth of the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana.

Chicago Teachers to Board of Ed: Find Funding or Reject CPS’ Budget Proposal

Speakers at a CPS-led public hearing Wednesday repeatedly called on board members to vote down the district’s budget proposal, and instead advocate more strongly for sustainable funding.

Cash-Strapped Gary Schools Under Emergency Management

WBEZ’s Northwest Indiana reporter Michael Puente joins to discuss the start of the new school year in Gary.

Ask Geoffrey: Why No Ketchup on Hot Dogs, Chicago?

Geoffrey Baer explores why hot dogs and ketchup don’t mix in Chicago in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

Chicago Group Opposing Neo-Nazis Planned to Target Jihadists, Too

A group cited for its efforts to thwart white supremacists has plans to counter Islamist extremists. But after the Trump administration revoked a $400,000 grant to Life After Hate, those plans may be on hold.

After Publicly Criticizing Trump, Chicago CEO Faces Racist Backlash

Ravin Gandhi denounced the president’s comments on Charlottesville in an op-ed, and now finds himself the target of racist invective. What he hopes will come out of the experience.

Cook County Urges Vaccination of Pets After Rabid Kitten Found

Pet owners should not panic, local health officials say, but take precautions after a rabid kitten was found in Carroll County.

New Law Paves the Way for Noise Monitors on Lake Shore Drive

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure this week allowing the city to install noise monitors along the scenic expressway, following residents’ complaints.

CDC Links Backyard Chickens to Nationwide Salmonella Outbreaks

As more people flock to the backyard poultry trend, the number of salmonella infections are likely to increase, says Illinois Department of Public Health veterinarian Dr. Connie Austin.

Legislators Condemn Rauner’s Reaction to Political Cartoon

Top legislators spent hours Monday working on an education funding package, and reaction to a political cartoon is still simmering. 

‘Hopeful’ Madigan Cancels Eduction Funding Vote ‘In Light of Progress’

A marathon private session between Illinois’ top legislative leaders was evidently productive enough that House Speaker Michael Madigan is canceling the chamber’s expected vote on a contentious education funding plan Wednesday as talks continue. 

Civic Federation: TIFs Are Good for Chicago Public Schools

The governor says Chicago could solve a lot of CPS’ financial problems by getting rid of TIF districts, but the mayor and other budget watchdogs say that doing away with them could actually cost public schools money.

Aug. 22, 2017 - Full Show

Watch the Aug. 22, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Rauner Spokeswoman Confirms Governor to Sign Immigration Bill

Gov. Bruce Rauner may be set to sign legislation limiting cooperation between officials in Illinois and federal immigration authorities.

Toni Preckwinkle Discusses Cook County Soda Tax Pushback

The Cook County sweetened beverage tax has had a challenging rollout, but Toni Preckwinkle doesn’t appear to be backing down. And she’s found a deep-pocketed supporter of the tax who’s helping with a media campaign.

Zachary Fardon on Violence, Police Reform and His New Job

The former U.S. attorney, who was asked to resign by the Trump administration in March, joins us in discussion.

Bill Graham, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer Who Escaped Nazi Germany

He helped to define rock ‘n’ roll in the 1960s—and his life was a forged as a child in Nazi Germany. We explore an exhibition about Bill Graham at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

Eclipse Trips to Carbondale Come With Traffic Jam Hangovers

Thousands of people swarmed to Carbondale to watch the solar eclipse on Monday. And thousands hit the road as soon as the celestial event was over.

Emanuel, CPS Using Student Achievement in Fight for Funding

Chicago Public Schools says its English language learners have significantly trimmed the achievement gap compared to native English speaking students – a data point Mayor Rahm Emanuel and district officials want to use in their ongoing fight for adequate funding from Springfield.
 

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