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City Council Votes to Allow Marijuana to Be Sold — Legally — Downtown

Black Caucus Chair Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward) said the City Council should act quickly and loosen the rules because the legal sale of cannabis is “raining hundred-dollar bills” and those hurt by the war on drugs should be able to take advantage of the gold rush.

US Launches Mass Expulsion of Haitian Migrants From Texas

The U.S. is flying Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to their homeland and blocking others from crossing the border from Mexico in a massive show of force that signals the beginning of what could be one of America’s swiftest, large-scale expulsions of migrants or refugees in decades.

On South and West Sides, Business is Blooming for Eco-Friendly Florist

A fresh floral arrangement is a quick way to brighten up a room, but those buds and blossoms likely came from farms hundreds or even thousands of miles away. A local organization is on a mission to change that.

New Documentary Explores Life, Legend of Muhammad Ali

At an early age he identified himself as “The Greatest” and backed up his words inside and out of the boxing ring. Filmmaker Ken Burns joins “Black Voices” to discuss the sweeping new four-part documentary “Muhammad Ali.”

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, September 19, 2021 - Full Show

Solving what may be dozens of cases of missing or killed Black women in Chicago. The epic life of Muhammad Ali with two men who knew him well — in different ways. And helping young people bloom.

New Missing Persons Project To Focus on Women and Girls in Illinois

Black women and girls in the U.S. are disproportionately at risk for abuse, exploitation and homicide. In the Chicago area, an alarming number of Black women and girls have gone missing. Can a new initiative help find them?

Sears Is Closing its Last Department Store in Illinois, the Retailer’s Home State

Come fall, Sears will shut the doors on its last department store in Illinois, the state in which its first retail store opened in 1925. The Sears department store in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg will close on Nov. 14.

Trailblazing Tourist Trip To Orbit Ends With Splashdown

Four space tourists safely ended their trailblazing trip to orbit Saturday with a splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast. 

Advocates, Opponents Weigh In on Mexico’s Abortion Stance

Just a few weeks after a Texas law took effect that bans most abortions in that state, Mexico’s Supreme Court has decided that women should not be criminalized for having an abortion. Both decisions have reignited protests over reproductive rights.

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, September 18, 2021 - Full Show

The new abortion law in Mexico. Is Illinois’ child welfare agency serving Spanish-speaking children? And celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, starting with Mexican Independence Day.

ProPublica: DCFS Not Providing Services for Spanish Speakers

A new report says Illinois’ child welfare agency is failing to serve Spanish-speaking children and families in their language. ProPublica Illinois reporter Melissa Sanchez has details.

US Ramps Up Plan To Expel Haitian Migrants Gathered in Texas

The U.S. plans to speed up its efforts to expel Haitian migrants on flights to their Caribbean homeland, officials said Saturday as agents poured into a Texas border city where thousands of Haitians have gathered after suddenly crossing into the U.S. from Mexico.

In Edgy Washington, Police Outnumber Jan. 6 Protesters

In a city still on edge after the Jan. 6 insurrection, law enforcement bore down in large numbers on the Capitol on Saturday over concerns that a rally in support of the jailed rioters would turn violent. It didn’t.

R. Kelly Behavior Mirrors Abuse Tactics, Expert Witness Says

Prosecutors inched closer on Friday to concluding their case at the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial, calling two final witnesses to try to further cement allegations he groomed young victims for unwanted sex in episodes dating to the 1990s.

The Week in Review: FDA Panel Votes on COVID Booster Shots

An ethics investigation into a Chicago alderman. The county assessor's got election competition. The latest on the park district's lifeguard sex abuse scandal. And CPS gets a new CEO.

Pentagon Reverses Itself, Calls Deadly Kabul Strike an Error

The Pentagon retreated from its defense of a drone strike that killed multiple civilians in Afghanistan last month, announcing Friday that a review revealed that only civilians were killed in the attack, not an Islamic State extremist as first believed.

US Panel Backs COVID-19 Boosters Only for Elderly, High-Risk

An influential federal advisory panel has overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer booster shots against COVID-19 to most Americans, but it endorsed the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.

Protest for Jailed Capitol Rioters: Police Ready This Time

Though it is unclear how big the rally will be, the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department are fully activating in an effort to avoid a repeat of the pre-inauguration attack.

City Council Finally Launches Search for City’s Next Watchdog, as Deadline Looms

More than two months after Inspector General Joseph Ferguson announced he would leave office on Oct. 15, the Chicago City Council on Friday finally took the first steps toward finding his replacement as the city’s watchdog.

When a Wetland Is Too Wet, Sometimes Nature Needs a Plumbing Assist

A wetlands restoration project is underway at Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve in the Calumet region, where construction of a human-made water control device will recreate a more natural system of drainage.

Father, Sons Held Without Bail After Fatal West Pullman Shooting

A Cook County judge has ordered Nathaniel Butler Sr. to be held without bail following his arrest in connection to the killing of 35-year-old Jerome Jenkins. That ruling came a day after Butler’s two sons were also held without bail.

Bobby Rush: Honor COVID-19 Vaccine Development with Congressional Gold Medal

Bipartisan legislation to be introduced Friday by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush would honor those whose efforts led to the successful development of COVID-19 vaccines, including researchers, scientists, doctors and vaccine trial volunteers. 

‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Little Village

The vibrant Little Village community has been bustling with Mexican Pride as celebrations are in full force for Mexican Independence Day.

September 16, 2021 - Full Show

One-on-one with Illinois’ House Speaker. Live from Little Village for Mexican Independence Day. Filmmaker Ken Burns on Muhammad Ali. The Bears’ home opener. And a first-of-its-kind Mexican music fest.

Illinois’ House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on Energy Bill and More

A massive energy bill became law this week and among other things, it aims to get Illinois carbon-free by 2045. Meanwhile, Illinois COVID vaccination rates slow as the delta variant surges. And the legislature’s veto session is coming up in a month.

Ken Burns Talks About His New Documentary ‘Muhammad Ali’

He was bigger than boxing and larger than life — a true icon of the 20th century. Filmmaker Ken Burns and Donald Lassere of the Chicago History Museum join us to discuss the sweeping new four-part documentary on the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali.
 

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