Stories by Associated Press
Aide: Trump Dismissed Jan. 6 Threats, Wanted to Join Crowd
| Associated Press
Cassidy Hutchinson quoted Trump as directing his staff, in profane terms, to take away the magnetometers that he thought would slow down supporters who’d gathered in Washington. In videotaped testimony played before the committee, she recalled the former president saying words to the effect of: “I don’t f-in’ care that they have weapons.”
Everything You’ve Heard About Ticks Is Probably a Myth. Here’s What Everyone, Even Urbanites, Needs To Know
| Patty Wetli
Researchers at Lincoln Park Zoo are surveying which ticks are present in the Chicago region, looking for clues about the effects of climate change and urban sprawl, and busting myths in the process.
FDA Advisers Recommend Updating COVID Booster Shots for Fall
| Associated Press
Pfizer and Moderna tested shots updated to better match the omicron that surged over the winter, but that first mutant has disappeared — replaced by its genetically distinct relatives. The two newest omicron cousins, called BA.4 and BA.5, together now make up half of U.S. cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chicago Park District Closing Sections of Beaches, Pulling Lifeguards To Open 37 Pools on July 5
| Patty Wetli
With only 55% of lifeguard positions filled, the Chicago Park District is limiting access to “underutilized” beaches in order to redeploy staff to neighborhood pools, 37 of which will open July 5.
Election 2022: Abortion Is Central in 1st Post-Roe Primaries
| Associated Press
In the Republican race for governor in Illinois, Darren Bailey, a farmer endorsed by former President Donald Trump, wants to end the state’s right to abortion except for instances in which the mother’s life is in danger. He doesn’t support exceptions for rape or incest. His opponent, Richard Irvin, has said he would allow abortions in instances of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is at risk.
June 27, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What’s next for abortion rights advocates and opponents after Friday’s ruling? Previewing the big political races on primary election eve. And a new PBS documentary goes in depth on the youth mental health crisis.
Local, State Officials React to Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision
| Amanda Vinicky
With the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade, Illinois elected officials are planning a legislative response. A special session will be called in July.
Roe Ruling Shows Complex Relationship Between Court, Public
| Associated Press
The relationship between the public and the judiciary has been studied and debated by legal and political scholars. The short answer: it’s complicated. There’s evidence that the public has an indirect role in the judiciary, but that might be changing.
New Documentary Explores Lives of Young People With Mental Health Challenges
| Jennifer Cotto
WTTW is premiering the two-part film “Hiding in Plain Sight,” which explores some of the mental health challenges today’s youth faces.
Crain’s Headlines: McDonald’s Making Changes to Franchise System
| WTTW News
McDonald’s is cooking up big changes for its franchise system. Yelp says it’s going with a fully remote workforce. And a city-backed panel wants to breathe new life into the LaSalle Street corridor.
Spotlight Politics: Previewing Primary Election Day in Illinois
| Alexandra Silets
It is the night before the primary election in Illinois and candidates are making a last-minute push for votes. Our Spotlight Politics team of Amanda Vinicky, Paris Schutz and Heather Cherone previews the hottest races in the state.
Chicago Rapper Vic Mensa Curates New Art Show
| Marc Vitali
The show curated by rapper Vic Mensa is called “Skin and Masks.” It was inspired by Frantz Fanon, the influential 20th century thinker and author of “Black Skin, White Masks.”
3 Killed, At Least 50 Injured After Amtrak Train Headed to Chicago Derails in Missouri
| CNN
Three people are dead and at least 50 injured after an Amtrak train derailed Monday in Missouri, Cpl. Justin Dunn, a spokesperson for Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, told reporters Monday evening.
Man Drowns in Lake Michigan While Rescuing Teen at Indiana Dunes National Park
| Patty Wetli
A Florida man drowned Monday in Lake Michigan after pulling a teenage female to safety from the water off Porter Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park, officials said.
Supreme Court Backs Public School Coach in Praying on Field After Games
| Associated Press
The court ruled 6-3 for the coach with the court’s conservative justices in the majority and its liberals in dissent. The case forced the justices to wrestle with how to balance the religious and free speech rights of teachers and coaches with the rights of students not to feel pressured into participating in religious practices.
5-Month-Old Girl Among 6 People Fatally Shot Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago police, 24 people were struck in 20 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included 5-month-old Cecilia Thomas, who died Friday after being shot in South Shore.
‘Voices’ Community Conversation: ‘Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness’
| Acacia Hernandez
On Monday, “Chicago Tonight” co-host Paris Schutz moderated the latest edition of our “Chicago Tonight: Voices” conversation in conjunction with “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness,” a new two-part documentary by executive producer Ken Burns.
Jan. 6 Panel Calls Surprise Tuesday Hearing to Present New Evidence
| Associated Press
The committee’s investigation has been ongoing during the hearings that started three weeks ago, and the panel has continued to probe the attack by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Among other investigative evidence, the committee recently obtained new footage of Trump and his inner circle taken both before and after Jan. 6, 2021 from British filmmaker Alex Holder.
More Than Half of City’s Summer Lifeguard Jobs Are Still Vacant: Chicago Park District Data
| Heather Cherone
More than 55% of the department’s 587 seasonal lifeguard positions were vacant as of Thursday, according to Chicago Park District data, eight days after officials announced the city’s 49 outdoor pools would not open on schedule — leaving Chicagoans to swelter during a record-breaking heat wave.
Rep. Mary Miller Calls Roe Decision ‘Victory for White Life’
| Associated Press
Miller is running for reelection in the state’s newly redrawn 15th Congressional District against GOP Rep. Rodney Davis with the former president’s blessing. She had been invited on stage to speak by Trump, who held the rally in Mendon, Illinois, to turn out the vote ahead of the state’s Tuesday primary.
Chicago Summit Brings Together Advocacy Groups, Creators to Highlight Role of Storytelling in Criminal Justice Reform
| Yahya Salem
The overarching themes of the three-day event revolved around the role of storytelling and art in criminal justice organizing. The summit included training sessions and workshops led by local activists, defense attorneys and media professionals with the aim of educating the invited participants on topics such as campaign strategies, effective storytelling, and enhancing alignment across communities.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, June 25, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Reaction to the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade. Plus, the impact of inflation. A new office aimed at helping people returning home from prison. And an artist-in-residence at a public library.
Inflation is Going Up and American Families Are Feeling the Effects
| Aida Mogos
The inflation rate reached 8.6% last month, the highest level in 40 years. Food and energy prices, in particular, have skyrocketed forcing the government to take action. The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to bring down demand and this week President Joe Biden called on Congress to pause federal gas taxes for three months.
Roe V. Wade Has Been Overturned. What’s Next in Illinois?
| Aida Mogos
Abortion regulations are now left up to the states to decide. Anticipating the impending decision, several states have already issued abortion bans. Advocates for reproductive rights are worried about how the decision will impact those seeking access to safe abortions.
New Chicago Office Aims to Help Formerly Incarcerated People Transition Out of Prison
| Aida Mogos
Willette Benford, who has served time in prison herself, has been appointed to serve as Chicago’s director of re-entry. It’s a newly created role that was part of a $13 million initiative to support reentry services for people leaving prison.
DuSable Museum Gets New Name, New Look
| Aida Mogos
The Historic DuSable Museum has a new name. It’s now the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Obamas Celebrate Chicago Roots, Power of Community During Presidential Center’s Opening
Hear From the Architects Behind the Obama Presidential Center
What to Know About the History of Juneteenth and How It Became a Federal Holiday
South Side Residents Voice Gentrification Concerns Ahead of Obama Presidential Center Opening
Body Camera Footage From Fatal Shooting of CPD Officer Ella French Released
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter