Stories by Associated Press
Missing Northwestern Student’s Body Found in Diversey Harbor
| Associated Press
A body found Tuesday in a Chicago harbor has been identified as that of a Northwestern University student who went missing after leaving a weekend party, authorities said.
Cubs Finalize $177M, 7-Year Deal With All-Star Shortstop Dansby Swanson
| Associated Press
The addition of Swanson is the biggest of three major moves by the team since the end of its second straight losing season. Right-hander Jameson Taillon signed a $68 million, four-year contract, and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger got a $17.5 million, one-year deal.
Ja’Mal Green, Willie Wilson Drop Challenges Against Each Other As Race for Mayor Solidifies
| Heather Cherone
The top spot on the Feb. 28 ballot for mayor officially belongs to Ja’Mal Green, after an aide to rival candidate Willie Wilson dropped his challenge of the activist’s nominating petitions Wednesday evening.
Emmett Till and His Mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, Honored With Congressional Medal
| Associated Press
The bill, which passed the Senate in January, is meant to honor Till and his mother — who had insisted on an open casket funeral to demonstrate the brutality of his killing — with the highest civilian honor that Congress awards.
Man Charged With Kicking Woman Onto CTA Red Line Tracks as Train Approached
| Matt Masterson
Ashley Goss, 39, was arrested Monday just moments after an incident inside the Chicago Red Line station on the Near North Side. He was ordered held without bail during a hearing Wednesday afternoon.
Chicagoans Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa to Bring Free Concert, Festival to Ghana
| Associated Press
The event will be held in Accra’s Black Star Square, a monument to the political freedom that was won by Ghanaians in 1957. The festival’s title was inspired by civil rights leader Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line, which was founded in 1919.
Chicago Public Schools Will Be in Session Thursday as Chicago Prepares for Bomb Cyclone
| Patty Wetli
Classes are not canceled Thursday, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez announced. Chicago is expecting to get hit with a dangerous combination of high winds, extremely cold temperatures and blowing snow, creating whiteout conditions.
You’re Trapped in a Blizzard. Do You Know What To Do Next To Survive?
| CNN
Unless you live in a year-round warm climate and plan to stay there, it’s important to know how winter storms behave, how to avoid and prepare for them, and heaven forbid, what to do in the worst-case scenario.
As Flu Rages, US Releases Medicine From National Stockpile
| Associated Press
This year’s flu season has hit hard and early. Some people are even noticing bare shelves at pharmacies and grocery stores when they make a run for over-the-counter medicines as cases have spiked.
Chicago’s New Climate Infrastructure Fund Aims To Kick-Start Climate Action Among Nonprofits and Small Businesses
| Patty Wetli
The fund will award grants in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for projects, including energy efficiency upgrades, green infrastructure or the purchase of electric vehicles.
What Exactly Is a Blizzard? Probably Not What You Think
Let’s talk ‘bomb cyclone’ while we’re at it.
| Patty Wetli
What will be the hallmark of the impending Christmas blizzard of 2022? Probably not a lot of snow, but that’s not what blizzards are about anyway.
Actor and Director Isaiah Washington Brings New Film to Chicago
| Angel Idowu
Actor and director Isaiah Washington’s new film “Corsicana” explores the life of a Black law enforcement officer with some very notable stripes.
Dec. 20, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What to expect from this week's anticipated blizzard. Lawmakers get an earful from gun rights advocates. The controversy over encrypting police scanners. And should Chicago residents switch from gas to electric heat?
Gun Rights Advocates Get Their Say as Illinois Legislators Hold Hearings on Assault Weapons Ban
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois lawmakers are pressing forward with an attempt to ban certain firearms they describe as assault weapons, but gun rights advocates say it’s a fruitless effort that will be tossed by the courts.
As Natural Gas Costs Rise and Environmental Concerns Grow, Advocates Call for Transition to Electric Home Heat
| Eunice Alpasan
As the price of natural gas rises, it’s prompting some consumer and environmental advocates to call for homes to go all-electric.
Ease Up on Food Worries During the Holidays, Nutritionists Say
| Andrea Flores
As the holiday weekend fast approaches, you might catch yourself overthinking the amount of calories on your plate. That's not the best approach.
As Chicago Moves to Encrypt and Delay Scanner Traffic, Media and 1st Amendment Advocates Push Back
| Jennifer Cotto
In Chicago, the ability to access police scanner traffic in real time is going away as Mayor Lightfoot moves forward with a plan to encrypt all police communications and delay them for 30 minutes, citing officer and victim safety.
Growing Pressure for Park District To Demolish Unauthorized Museum Construction on Site of Landmarked Building in Humboldt Park
| Patty Wetli
The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture leases a historic landmark building in Humboldt Park. It began construction on an adjacent archive facility without obtaining permits.
Wells Fargo to Pay $3.7B Over Consumer Law Violations
| Associated Press
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday ordered Wells to repay $2 billion to consumers and enacted a $1.7 billion penalty against the bank. It’s the largest fine to date against any bank by the CFPB and the largest fine against Wells.
Airlines Issue Travel Waivers Ahead of Massive ‘Bomb Cyclone’
| CNN
Key U.S. airlines have issued travel waivers ahead of what’s forecast to be a brutal “bomb cyclone” of wintry weather in the Midwest and other regions later this week.
Jesse White Looks Back on Decadeslong Career in Illinois Politics
| Amanda Vinicky
For the first time in two dozen years, Illinois will get a new secretary of state. Former state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat, will be sworn Jan. 9 in to replace Secretary Jesse White, who did not run for reelection this year.
As Chicago Nears 700 Murders for 3rd Straight Year, Mayor’s Race Focuses on Public Safety
| Heather Cherone
The surge of crime and violence that peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic but has yet to recede has imperiled Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s bid for a second term, even as the eight major candidates running to unseat her offer wildly different solutions to the seemingly intractable problem.
Dec. 19, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The debate over cops in schools reignites after a shooting near a high school. The Jane Byrne Interchange is finally complete — almost. Jesse White on his retirement. And housing the homeless as bitter temperatures approach.
Shooting Near High School Brings Up Discussions Around School Resource Officers
| Jennifer Cotto
Students and community members rallied Monday calling for solutions to the city’s gun violence, which has recently come to the doorstep of schools like Juarez. The shooting also sheds light on the debate over police officers in schools, who are known as school resource officers.
With a Renewed National Focus on Homelessness, Advocates Say Local Action Also Needed
| Andrea Guthmann
On Monday, President Joe Biden unveiled his plan to cut homelessness by 25% by 2025. While the president is promising federal aid to help solve the crisis, advocates for the homeless argue there are local strategies that must be implemented as well.
Crain’s Headlines: With Holiday Travel Just Ahead, Illinois Attorney General Calls For More Federal Protections
| Eunice Alpasan
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is calling for more federal protections for airline travelers, a major snack company is selling its gum business and a phone app company is expanding in Chicago.
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