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Judge Rejects R. Kelly’s Request For New Trial a Week Ahead of Federal Sentencing
| Matt Masterson
A federal judge has denied R. Kelly’s request for a new trial, just a week before he is set to be sentenced on child pornography charges following his conviction in Chicago last year.
Clevinger Reports to Spring Training as MLB Probes Domestic Violence Charges Against White Sox Pitcher
| Associated Press
Mike Clevinger has reported to the Chicago White Sox for spring training, joining his new team amid an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball into allegations of domestic violence.
At 103, Loyola’s Sister Jean Publishes Memoir of Faith and Basketball: ‘Adaptability is My Superpower’
| Associated Press
In “Wake Up with Purpose: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years,” Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt tells her life story, offers spiritual guidance and shares some of the lessons she’s learned.
Wintry Mix of Sleet, Snow and Rain Will Make for Slippery Conditions Thursday; Threat of High Waves, Lakefront Flooding
| Patty Wetli
A winter weather advisory has been issued for 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Chicago area. Slippery pavement will be a bigger issue than snow accumulation.
Johnson Becomes Focus of Attacks as Mayor’s Race Enters Homestretch Amid Swirl of Dark Money
| Heather Cherone
The attacks from Mayor Lori Lightfoot represent a shift in her campaign strategy during the past three weeks. In late January, Lightfoot was publicly dismissive of Johnson’s chances, telling a gathering in Wrigleyville that the Chicago Teachers Union’s pick would not be mayor of Chicago.
Feb. 15, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The Bears’ major announcement about Arlington Heights. Mayoral candidates go after Brandon Johnson. Dissecting what’s in the governor’s proposed budget. And what city leaders can learn from the botched smokestack implosion.
Spotlight Politics: Mayoral Race Gets Pointed as Election Day Nears
| Alexandra Silets
Things got pointed at the final Chicago mayoral candidate debate. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Little Village Residents React to Watchdog Report on Botched Implosion: ‘The System is Not Built to Protect Communities Like Ours’
| Eunice Alpasan
A recent confidential watchdog report found that Chicago officials could and should have prevented a botched smokestack implosion in Little Village, rekindling conversations about the role of industry in neighborhoods and where accountability lies when violations occur.
Back of the Yards Residents Push Back Against Plan to Merge New Library with Public Housing Project
| Joanna Hernandez
The only library in Back of the Yards shares a space with a local high school. Some residents have advocated for a new freestanding library, securing $15 million in state funding to build it. But a new proposal would incorporate the library into a public housing project.
Pritzker Unveils State Budget With Additional Education, Homeless Funding
| Amanda Vinicky
Speaking before a joint session of the General Assembly, Gov. J.B. Pritzker acknowledged that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been years since he last gave the ceremonial presentation from the Illinois House.
Grand Jury Indicts Father of July 4 Highland Park Shooting Suspect
| Associated Press
The indictment charges Robert Crimo Jr., 58, with seven counts of reckless conduct. Prosecutors have said he helped his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a gun license years before the shooting in Highland Park, even though the then-19-year-old had threatened violence.
Tickets on Sale for Re:SET Concert Series Without Park District Approval, Despite Recent Rule Change
| Patty Wetli
Re:SET Concert Series is selling tickets to a three-day summer music fest in Belmont Cragin’s Riis Park. Did promoters jump the gun or is the Park District cutting deals without community input?
Panel Backs Moving Opioid Antidote Narcan Over the Counter
| Associated Press
The potential move represents the latest government effort to increase use of a medication that has been a key tool in the battle against the U.S. overdose epidemic. The decades-old drug can counteract the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes.
Bears Move Closer to Leaving Soldier Field with Purchase of Arlington Heights Land
| Heather Cherone
The Chicago Bears are on the verge of leaving its home of 51 years, despite efforts by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to keep the team in Chicago.
Promontory Point Clears Park District Approval Hurdle on Road to Landmark Status
| Patty Wetli
The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of landmark status for Promontory Point.
Robot Documents Forces Eroding Florida-Sized ‘Doomsday Glacier’ in Antarctica
| Associated Press
Using a 13-foot pencil-shaped robot that swam under the grounding line where ice first juts over the sea, scientists saw a shimmery critical point in Thwaites’ chaotic breakup, “where it’s melting so quickly there, there’s just material streaming out of the glacier.”
White House: Tesla Will Open Part of its Charging Network in Effort to Expand Electric Vehicle Access
| CNN
The administration is linking with additional partners like car rental company Hertz and BP gas stations to bring EV fast charging infrastructure to locations across America, including major cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
Pritzker Proposes $75 Million Increase in Preschool Spending as Part of Multi-Year Expansion
| Amanda Vinicky
An additional 5,000 children will be able to go to preschool next year under a proposal Gov. J.B. Pritzker will introduce Wednesday when he pitches his 2024 fiscal year plan to legislators and the public.
Feb. 14, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A WTTW News exclusive: New details on how the city failed to heed warning signs on the Little Village smokestack implosion. Lawmakers return to Springfield. And how to find love while struggling with mental illness.
Finding Love With Mental Illness: Those With Anxiety, Depression Say They Must First Swipe Right on Themselves
| DePaul’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence
On Bumble, users may enter their height, occupation and political alignment. Tinder lets users list their Zodiac sign, alma mater and link a music app to show off their favorite artists. But for those dealing with mental illness, there’s no box to check to help disclose the ongoing struggles present in their lives.
City’s Chief of Policy Defends Proposed New ComEd Deal, Urges Swift City Council Passage
| Paul Caine
“As you look across the country, there’s no other place that’s been able to secure as much funding as we have for the energy and equity project,” says Skyler Larrimore, chief of policy at the city of Chicago.
Pritzker to Outline Vision for Illinois in Budget, State of the State Address
| Amanda Vinicky
For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker will present from the Illinois House chambers to a joint session of state representatives and senators.
City Officials Could Have Prevented Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion, According to Full Watchdog Report
| Heather Cherone
The 94-page report obtained by the city's former inspector general details lapses by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Buildings. Mayor Lori Lightfoot declined repeated calls to make it public.
Greektown Starbucks Workers Announce Union Effort; Organizers Accuse Company of Stalling Negotiations
| Nick Blumberg
The Greektown workers’ announcement comes on the heels of Starbucks workers at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie and the location near Main Street and Chicago Avenue in Evanston voting last month in favor of joining Starbucks Workers United, an SEIU affiliate.
Be Mine! Animals at Brookfield Zoo Enjoy a Valentine’s Day Celebration Fit For a Hippo
| Patty Wetli
In what’s become an annual tradition, staff at Brookfield Zoo handed out Valentine’s Day treats to several animals this holiday. The reactions were priceless.
Almost Half of Children Who Go to ER With Mental Health Crisis Don’t Get the Follow-Up Care They Need, Study Finds
| CNN
ER staffers may be able to stabilize a child in a mental health care crisis, but research has shown that timely follow-up with a provider is key to their success long-term. Without the proper follow-up, children too often end up back in the ER.
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