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Stories by Associated Press

Donald Trump Veers Off Message: Do Voters Care About Economy or About Kamala Harris’ Laugh?

Donald Trump opened his speech with off-script attacks on the media and aired his grievances over the Democrats swapping Vice President Kamala Harris for President Joe Biden, questioning her intelligence and saying she has “the laugh of a crazy person.”

RFK Jr. Was Blocked From the Ballot in New York. That Ruling Could Challenge Him in Other States

New York is just one of more than a half-dozen states where challenges have been made to Kennedy’s petitions from Democrats and their allies. Some of the challenges allege he falsely listed the same New York address that was the subject of litigation in that state, or that there were problems with petition signatures.

Mars Buys Chicago-Based Kellanova in $30 Billion Deal for Snack Company That Makes Cheez-Its and Pop-Tarts

Kellanova was created last year when the Kellogg Co. split into two companies. Chicago-based Kellanova sells many of the former company’s most profitable brands, including Pringles, Eggo, Town House, MorningStar Farms and Rice Krispies Treats. It had net sales of more than $13 billion last year and has about 23,000 employees.

Riot Fest Returning to Douglass Park Next Month in Surprise About-Face From Bridgeview Plans

After a dramatic announcement two months ago that Riot Fest would be relocating to suburban Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium, the music festival has pulled an about-face and will be returning to Douglass Park Sept. 20-22, pending Park District approval, the Chicago Park District announced Wednesday.

CTA Awards Design-Build Contract for Red Line Extension; Agency President Diplomatic on Proposed Lake Shore Drive Overhaul

Applause broke out Wednesday at the Chicago Transit Authority’s board meeting after directors approved a $2.93 billion contract for the design and construction of the Red Line Extension to 130th Street.

Cook County Chief Judge Prepares for Possible Mass Arrests at DNC: ‘People Are Going to Be Heard’

With the Democratic National Convention just days away, Cook County judges are clearing their schedules. It comes as part of an administrative order from Chief Judge Tim Evans to prepare for the possibility of mass arrests.

HBO Sends Bears Nation Into Meltdown With ‘Hard Knocks’ Streaming Snafu

The streaming service has still offered no explanation for the more than one-hour delay in dropping Tuesday night’s episode of “Hard Knocks.” 

More Than 40 Student Journalists in Illinois Chosen to Cover Democratic National Convention

The Chicago 2024 Host Committee and the Illinois Journalism Education Association worked to identify student journalists across the state to join the Illinois Youth Press Corps, providing them with opportunities to cover the convention.

Prosecutors Ask Court to Reject Effort to Sever Upcoming Racketeering Trials of Michael Madigan, Michael McClain

Prosecutors late Tuesday filed their response to Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain, whose attorneys last month filed a motion seeking to sever his case from Madigan’s before the men are set to go to trial on racketeering charges later this year.

Aug. 13, 2024 - Full Show

The DNC is just days away — how Cook County courts are preparing. A judge rules on a request for a longer protest route closer to the United Center. And WTTW News explains the infamous Chicago parking meter deal.

Biden Announces $150M in Research Grants as Part of His ‘Moonshot’ Push to Fight Cancer

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are among eight teams across the U.S. receiving grant funding. Cancer is the second-highest killer of people in the U.S. after heart disease.

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Longer, More Prominent DNC Protest Route Near United Center

U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood ruled that the 1.4-mile march route proposed by Chicago officials was sufficient to ensure that the Coalition to March on the DNC can protest while Democratic delegates gather to celebrate their nominee for president.

Some DNC Parking Restrictions, Street Closures Already in Place in Chicago; Bus Reroutes Start Friday

The Democratic National Convention doesn’t get underway until Aug. 19, but the traffic headaches have already started with first of many street closures and parking restrictions.

Want to Speed Up a Road or Transit Project? Just Host a Political Convention

Chicago officials had planned to open a new L station near the United Center more than four years ago, but numerous delays left some neighbors wondering if it ever would happen. Construction crews scrambled to finish work this month ahead of the DNC.

Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris Want to End Federal Taxes on Tips. Why That’s Difficult to Enact

Both candidates unveiled their plans in Nevada, a state with one of the highest concentrations of tipped service workers in the country. 

Members of Congress From Illinois See a Presidential Momentum Shift Ahead of a Hometown DNC

Vice President Kamala Harris had a whirlwind week in which she formally secured the Democratic nomination and announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. For Illinois members of the U.S. Congress, that shift will change the tenor of the convention set to hit Chicago.

From Cheap Shades to Designer Frames, How Effective Are Sunglasses Against UV Rays? We Put Them to the Test

The best weapon to protect your eyes from the sun? Sunglasses. While many sunglasses promise “100% UV protection,” WTTW News was dubious. We wanted to put them to the test.

Chicago Police Will Face a Big Test During the Democratic Convention. Here’s What to Know.

Here’s a look at the challenge facing the Chicago Police Department during the Democratic National Convention and the rules officers will have to follow during the protests that the gathering is sure to trigger.

Report Details Deaths of Almost 1,000 Native Children at Federal Boarding Schools: ‘They Took Our Children’

The report, which concluded a three-year investigation, uncovered that at least 973 children died while under the care of these institutions, with many more expected to have suffered similar fates. These schools were established to forcibly assimilate Native American children — often through violent tactics.

Aug. 12, 2024 - Full Show

What Chicago can expect for next week’s Democratic National Convention. And local indigenous leaders react to a report detailing tragedies at federal boarding schools. And the city’s long history with political conventions. 

A ‘Voices’ Community Conversation: The Impact of Segregation on Housing in Chicago

Chicago routinely ranks among the most segregated big cities in America when measured by the dissimilarity index, a tool used to gauge how evenly distributed demographic groups are throughout a distinct geographic area.

Barack Obama…the Musical? Former Campaign Staffer Elects to Bring His Show to Chicago in Advance of the DNC

Back in 2008 Eli Bauman was a young campaign organizer for then-candidate Barack Obama. Now, he’s written “44 – THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL.”

Federal Judge Orders Most of Stateville Prison Population to be Transferred by End of September

The court filed the preliminary injunction order Friday, with Judge Andrea R. Wood writing that the court found a probable risk of irreparable harm from falling concrete attributed to the deteriorated masonry walls, ceilings, steel beams and window lintels at Stateville.

13-Year-Old Boy Killed, 32 Others Wounded in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police

According to the Chicago Police Department, 33 people were shot in 28 separate shootings between Friday and Sunday evenings.

What We Know About Chicago's DNC Safety and Security Plans

In addition to the politicians, delegates, protesters and attendees come significant security risks Chicago police and other law enforcement entities must tackle to keep people safe during the Democratic National Convention.
 

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