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Stories by Marc Vitali

James ‘Big Cat’ Williams Looks Ahead to New Chicago Bears Season

The NFL season officially kicks off this week and the Chicago Bears are set to start their season Sunday at noon against the San Francisco 49ers.

Elected Officials, Police Chiefs on Leaked List of Far-Right Extremist Group Members

The Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism pored over more than 38,000 names on leaked Oath Keepers membership lists and identified more than 370 people it believes currently work in law enforcement agencies — including as police chiefs and sheriffs — and more than 100 people who are currently members of the military.

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s Monarch for 70 Years, Dies at 96

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of a turbulent century, has died. She was 96.

Cyclist Struck and Killed By Driver in River West; Fifth Cyclist Death in Chicago This Year

A witness to the crash told WTTW News the man was a cyclist riding on an e-bike. The Chicago Fire Department confirmed a man in 40s was struck near Milwaukee Avenue and Morgan Street in River West and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious to critical condition, though the department described him as a motorcyclist.

Historic Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Line To Receive $900K Landmark Grant From City

For more than a century, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church has been an anchor in the Bronzeville community. Now its supporters are one step closer to securing the building's future for the next 100 years.

10 Things to Know About Queen Elizabeth II’s Life

Elizabeth often gave the impression of a serious demeanor, and many have noted her “poker face,” but those who knew her described her as having a mischievous sense of humor and a talent for mimicry in private company.

Measure to Ban Chicago Police from Investigating People Seeking Abortions or Their Doctors Advances

The measure known as the “Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary City Ordinance” would ratify and expand an executive order signed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in July after the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Trump Documents Probe: US is Appealing Special Master Ruling

The Justice Department said Thursday that it was appealing a judge’s decision granting the appointment of an independent arbiter to review records seized by the FBI from former President Donald Trump’s Florida home.

Landmarks Commission Kicks the Can on Status of Threatened Century and Consumers Buildings

The fate of a pair of endangered 20th century State Street skyscrapers remains up in the air after the Commission on Chicago Landmarks punted during its monthly meeting Thursday when it came time to decide whether to afford the Century and Consumers buildings landmark status.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 9-11

American folk music, monarch butterfly migration, Ted Talks and more fun surprises usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Chicago Native Bernard Shaw, First Chief Anchor at CNN, Dead at 82

Bernard Shaw was CNN’s first chief anchor and was with the network when it launched on June 1, 1980. He retired from CNN after more than 20 years on February 28, 2001.

Chicago Teen Charged in Fatal Shooting During Meetup to Sell Firearm, Prosecutors Say

Alexsandro Hernandez, 19, has been ordered held without bail after he was charged Thursday with one count each of attempted robbery and felony murder following the fatal Aug. 1 shooting of 18-year-old Irving Ibarez in Galewood.

After Lifetime of Preparation, Charles Takes the British Throne

Charles, the oldest person to ever assume the British throne, became king on Thursday following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. No date has been set for his coronation, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether the new monarch would call himself Charles III or choose another name as his grandfather did.

Steve Bannon Surrenders in NY Court in Wall Donor Case

Bannon’s state-level charges in New York are expected to closely resemble an attempted federal prosecution that ended abruptly, before trial, when Donald Trump pardoned Bannon on his last day in office

Sept. 7, 2022 - Full Show

Advocates say more needs to be done to increase equity in marijuana licensing. More churn at City Hall, the latest on the R. Kelly trial and a federal search of a former president.

Local Organizations Join Together in Push for Equity in Illinois Marijuana Industry

Three local organizations are banding together in an effort to bring more equity to the Illinois marijuana industry.

R. Kelly Co-Defendant Testifies About Early Allegations Made Against R&B Singer

Derrel McDavid testified he didn’t believe early allegations that the R&B singer had sexually abused minors in the 1990s, stating he thought such claims were not only false, but were the “cost of doing business” in the entertainment industry.

Spotlight Politics: Texas Gov., Lightfoot Trade Barbs Over Migrant Buses; Aldermanic Exodus Continues

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are trading barbs over buses of migrants sent to Chicago. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Street Resurfacing Must Include Better Transportation Upgrades, Advocates Say at Demonstration

The groups say they don’t just want things like protected bike lanes, signal priority for buses, and other improvements to be limited to this stretch of street, calling on the Chicago Department of Transportation to “perform critical safety and quality-of-life upgrades” in the course of every major street resurfacing citywide.

Chicago Rolls Out the Green Carpet for Fall Influx of Migrating Birds

Like any good host, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County has done its best to make sure the guests feel welcome.

Florida Judge Faces Criticism Following Special Master Order in Trump Documents Case

The order came over the strenuous objections of the Justice Department, which said a so-called special master was not necessary in part because officials had already completed their review of potentially privileged documents. The move was cheered by Trump supporters seeking a check on the government’s probe.

Judge Strikes Down 1931 Michigan Law Criminalizing Abortion

The law, which was long dormant before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, violates the Michigan Constitution, said Judge Elizabeth Gleicher.

Obamas Return to White House as Official Portraits Unveiled

Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle returned to the White House on Wednesday for the unveiling of official portraits with a modern vibe: him standing expressionless against a white background and her seated on a sofa in the Red Room wearing a formal light blue dress.

Ald. Howard Brookins Announces He Won’t Seek 6th Term Representing Auburn Gresham on Chicago City Council

The South Side alderperson said he is “ready to hand the reins over to a new generation of leadership” after 20 years in office.

So Long Spaceship, Hello Bar of Soap. Bears Placeholder Stadium Art Draws Hilarious Comparisons

In renderings released Tuesday of a proposed master plan for Arlington Park, the Bears stressed that the “stadium shown is a placeholder and not an actual design.” But that didn't stop people from poking fun at the artwork.

Sept. 6, 2022 - Full Show

The Bears unveil preliminary Arlington Heights plans. Plus, Chicago gets new COVID booster shots, why so many City Council members are choosing to hang it up, and airlines vow to improve customer service as air travel rebounds.
 

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