Stories by Erica Gunderson
New Book Explores Dorothy Day’s Life as Mother, Grandmother
| Erica Gunderson
Author Kate Hennessy discusses her new book about Dorothy Day, her Catholic activist grandmother.
Sitting at Work is Bad, But Not Moving is Worse, UIC Study Finds
| Evan Garcia
You may have been warned that “sitting is the new smoking,” but a new study may have you second-guessing the purchase of a standing desk – and not so worried if you tend to fidget.
Dorothy Brown’s Office Granted More Time to Modernize
| Paul Caine
In 2018, the notion that one of Cook County’s most important offices is still using systems that Charles Dickens would recognize would seem to be a problem. Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown joins us.
Flu Cases Spike: How to Protect Against This Year’s H3N2 Flu
| Nick Blumberg
Doctors say the most dominant strain of the flu this season is one that can take a more severe toll on patients who catch it. How to protect yourself from what could be an especially bad flu season in Chicago.
Colorful Macaws Launch New Bird Exhibit at Notebaert Nature Museum
| Alex Ruppenthal
A trio of tropical birds has landed in Chicago this winter to show off their vibrantly colored feathers and occasional dance moves – but they won’t be here for long.
Making Faces Could Result in More Youthful Appearance, Study Finds
| Kristen Thometz
Parents have admonished children for making funny faces since about the dawn of time. But a 30-minute facial exercise routine can erase some signs of aging in middle-aged women, a new study finds.
Wilmette Man Walking Across US for Parkinson’s Disease
| Kristen Thometz
Bill Bucklew is walking 2,500 miles across the country to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease and funds to find a cure. It’s a condition he knows well: In 2012, he was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 43.
Ask Geoffrey: What Are Those Faces on Michigan Avenue?
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer gets eye-to-eye with some sky-high building ornament and gets beneath the surface of a towering metal figure in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Cubs Fan Sues Team, Claims Wrigley Renovations Violate ADA
| Matt Masterson
A wheelchair-bound Cubs fan claims the team removed handicap-accessible seating in the right field bleachers during its $750 million renovation project.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 4-7
| Kristen Thometz
A winter trek, silent DJ party, improv comedy and oodles of dance classes usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
CPS Watchdog Highlights Gift Card Fraud in Annual Report
| Matt Masterson
Staff at a Chicago high school reportedly spent nearly $3,200 in school gift cards on wedding favors, meals and casino purchases. That’s one of several investigations included in a newly released annual report from CPS’ watchdog.
Cook County Collects $757M in Property Tax Prepayments
| Brandis Friedman
Thousands of Cook County property owners prepaid 2017 tax bills before the end the year, to the tune of almost $800 million. Where that money is going.
Chicago Bears Begin Coaching Search
| Paris Schutz
The Bears are in the market for a new head coach for the third time in six years. We take a look at the top candidates.
2018 Entertainment Preview: Chicago in Film and TV
| WTTW News
Whether it’s a giant rampaging ape or a serious drama, Chicago will be the setting for quite a few new movies and TV shows in 2018. A look at what is coming.
1871 CEO Howard Tullman a Cryptocurrency Skeptic
| Paul Caine
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin may be all the rage, but is the so-called “blockchain” technology behind them the thing that could really change the world?
New Play Looks at Life of Trailblazing African-American Actor
| Marc Vitali
Exploring the connection between a controversial painting at the Art Institute and the new play “Red Velvet” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Fake News, Feminism, #MeToo: The 2017 Words of the Year
| Erica Gunderson
Much like 2016’s set, the words of 2017 are a political batch reflective of the tumultuous year we just put behind us. What else made the cut.
Conservative Lawmakers Back Effort to Block Publicly Funded Abortions
| Nick Blumberg
How Republican lawmakers are trying to stop publicly funded abortions in Illinois—and what the bill’s backers say.
S.H. Bell’s Manganese Dust-Control Plan OK’d by City
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago public health officials have signed off on a Southeast Side company’s updated plan to cut emissions of brain-damaging manganese dust that regulators say pose a health risk to nearby residents.
CPS Acting CEO: Improving Parent Engagement ‘A Top Priority’
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools’ new leader Janice Jackson announces plans to hold community meetings throughout the city this spring in the hopes of sparking an open dialogue about the district’s biggest needs.
Prolonged Cold Weather Could Tie Chicago Record
| Kristen Thometz
Chicago ushered in 2018 with a record-setting high temperature of 1 degree on New Year’s Day. With cold temperatures expected to persist, the city could tie a different record by the end of the week.
Chicago Photographer Captures Toll of Opioids, Homelessness
| Jay Shefsky
Lloyd DeGrane spent three years photographing homeless encampments in Chicago. He shares images and stories from the streets.
US Stocks March Higher Boosted by Tax Cuts and Deregulation
| Paul Caine
The financial markets have skyrocketed over the past year. Can they keep climbing in 2018?
‘Hamilton’ Star Begins ‘My Shot at Epilepsy’ to Raise Awareness, Funds
| Kristen Thometz
Inspired by the song “My Shot,” from the blockbuster musical, actor Miguel Cervantes is challenging the public to take their “shot” and help raise awareness and funds to find a cure for epilepsy.
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