Stories by Associated Press
EPA Defies Climate Warnings, Gives Coal Plants a Reprieve
| Associated Press
The Trump administration on Wednesday completed one of its biggest rollbacks of environmental rules, replacing the landmark Obama-era Clean Power Plan with a replacement rule.
Meet the Artist Behind ‘The Obama Paintings’ As They Debut in Chicago
| Marc Vitali
Artist Rob Pruitt created a painting for each of the 2,922 days of Barack Obama’s presidency. His project is now on display in Chicago.
10 Things to Do this Weekend: June 20-23
| Kristen Thometz
Celebrations of pride, music fests, pop-up theater, craft beers and dragon boats usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Endangered Baby Rhino Makes First Public Appearance
| Quinn Myers
“Our new rhino calf is thriving. He is exceeding all of our expectations,” said Mike Murray of Lincoln Park Zoo. “He’s a pretty incredible little guy that, just behaviorally, is doing everything a rhino calf should.”
White Sox Plan to Extend Netting at Guaranteed Rate Field
| Associated Press
The Chicago White Sox plan to extend the protective netting to the foul poles at Guaranteed Rate Field, becoming the first major league team to take that step.
AP Explains: Juneteenth Celebrates End of Slavery in the US
| Associated Press
A holiday that is spreading across the U.S. and beyond, Juneteenth is considered the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Here’s a look at the holiday and its history.
In ‘Hedwig,’ Divided Cold War-Era Germany Gives Birth to Even More Divided Identity
| Hedy Weiss
Arriving at Theo Ubique as the final show of the theater’s first season in its spacious new Evanston home, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” serves as definitive proof that this company can finesse anything and everything in the musical theater repertory.
Hospital Largely Cleared in Newborn Cut from Womb Case
| Associated Press
Investigators have largely cleared Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for how it dealt with a Chicago woman accused of cutting a baby from his mother’s womb and claiming him as her own.
Cancer Diagnosis Leads to Donation of 400 Rare, Valuable Books
| Jay Shefsky
In recent years, Bob Connors found a new passion and expertise. Now, he’s offering it to the world.
State Leader Defends Personal Stake in Illinois’ Gambling Industry
| Amanda Vinicky
A recent investigation revealed that Illinois Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady has a “business interest” in Midwest Electronics Gaming, a prominent video gaming company. On Tuesday, Brady commented on the business.
Illinois’ Gaming Expansion Could Be a Losing Bet for Problem Gamblers
| Paul Caine
As Illinois prepares to expand gambling to every corner of the state – including slot machines at O’Hare and Midway airports – supporters tout the generation of much-needed revenue to help plug a massive budget deficit. But at what cost?
‘16 Shots’ Documentary Examines Fatal Shooting of Laquan McDonald
| Evan Garcia
The murder of Laquan McDonald and ensuing public outrage in Chicago are the focus of a new documentary on Showtime. We speak with “16 Shots” writer and director Rick Rowley.
Lightfoot: Independent Commission Should Redraw City’s 50 Wards
| Paris Schutz
The decennial redrawing of Chicago’s 50 ward boundaries is messy and anything but transparent. Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls the current map an obvious case of gerrymandering, and says it’s bad for Chicago residents.
Closing Arguments Expected This Week in Death-Penalty Trial of Brendt Christensen
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors and Brendt Christensen’s defense team are each expected to call their final witnesses before Friday. Among those slated to testify: Christensen’s former girlfriend, who wore a wire for the FBI, and his ex-wife.
Cook County Health Program Focuses on ‘Whole Person Care’
| Kristen Thometz
How addressing homelessness, access to food and other social needs improves a patient’s overall health – and reduces costs. A 2017 study found treating patients with just one risk factor was $65 more per month than those with none.
US Sending Troops to Mideast Amid Gulf Tensions over Iran
| Associated Press
The U.S. is sending 1,000 more troops to the Middle East as tensions in the Persian Gulf mounted over Iran’s announcement it will not comply with the international agreement that keeps it from making nuclear weapons.
High Court Avoids New Case over Same-Sex Wedding Cake
| Associated Press
The Supreme Court decided Monday against a high-stakes, election-year case about the competing rights of gay and lesbian couples and merchants who refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings.
State Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke Angers Some with Judicial Pick
| Alexandra Silets
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke received blowback from faith and community leaders on Chicago’s West Side for appointing a white woman to fill a vacancy formerly held by a black woman.
Ready or Not, Electric Scooters Arrive on Chicago’s West Side
| Quinn Myers
Dockless electric scooters – 2,500 of them – arrive in Chicago as the city launches its pilot program, but will riders stay safe?
Move of Beachside Music Fest Prompts Pushback Over Endangered Birds
| Alex Ruppenthal
Organizers of Mamby on the Beach want to move the music festival to Montrose Beach, but conservationists are pushing back because of two endangered birds living at the site.
Another ‘Empire’ Actor Arrested, But on Traffic Offense
| Associated Press
A Chicago police spokeswoman said that Bryshere Gray, who plays a younger brother of Jussie Smollett’s character on the Chicago-based Fox TV show, was pulled over Thursday.
Brendt Christensen Researched Rape Fantasies Before Kidnapping Scholar
| Matt Masterson
“I want to test my limits and experience everything,” Brendt Christensen wrote in his profile on Fetlife.com, a social media site for adults with alternative sexual interests, weeks before Yingying Zhang disappeared.
Art Institute Show Explores ‘Iconic Photographs’
| Marc Vitali
Photography has long been used to make images of iconic works of art. Sometimes the photographs themselves become icons. A new show explores a collection of famous pictures from the 20th century.
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