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New Study Looks into Strengths, Needs of Muslims in Illinois
| Eunice Alpasan
Researchers found that Muslims in Illinois were the youngest and most diverse faith community in the state and the country. The sample in the study were racially and ethnically diverse. The study also includes specific recommendations for educators, elected officials, Muslim community leaders and more on how they can better meet the needs of Muslim communities.
Chicago History Museum Screening ‘For the Left Hand’
| Angel Idowu
Despite a life-altering event, a local retired chorus teacher shares how it hasn’t stopped him from playing the music he loves.
After New FDA Rule, Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Expected This Fall in US
| Associated Press
The regulation creates a new class of hearing aids that don’t require a medical exam, a prescription and other specialty evaluations, the Food and Drug Administration said. That’s expected to increase competition and eventually lower costs. The devices will be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and other retail stores.
2 Dead, 1 Missing in Deadly 24 Hours on Lake Michigan With Multiple Drownings
| Patty Wetli
Chicago police and fire departments conducted multiple water rescues in a less than 24-hour period on Lake Michigan, with at least two people dead.
Interactive Book Aims to Get Chicagoans and Visitors Out to City’s Lesser-Known Treasures
| Yahya Salem
In Jessica Mlinaric’s latest book, decipher rhyming riddles and visual clues that lead to over 300 little-known Chicago attractions ranging from architectural oddities to public artworks to nature areas and more.
R. Kelly Accuser Testifies About ‘Hundreds’ of Sexual Abuse Instances While She Was a Minor
| Matt Masterson
The woman — now 37 and identified in court only under the pseudonym “Jane” — is one of the main witnesses at the center of the government’s latest case against Kelly. She was allegedly the 14-year-old girl who later appeared in child pornography videos Kelly allegedly produced.
Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Encountered in Water Suspected in 2nd Midwest Death
| Associated Press
People are usually infected when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose while swimming or diving into lakes and rivers. Other sources have been documented, including tainted tap water in a Houston-area city in 2020.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Aug. 18-21
| Michael Izquierdo
Rare coins, blues music, barbecued meats and Latin American music usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Another 20K Doses of Monkeypox Vaccine Coming to Chicago, Eligibility Expanded
| Patty Wetli
The Chicago Department of Public Health announced that the city will receive another 20,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine from the federal stockpile, to be distributed to clinics across the city next week.
Trump Organization CFO Pleads Guilty in Tax Evasion Case, Could Become Star Witness Against Company
| Associated Press
The plea bargain also requires Allen Weisselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. The company is accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to report their full compensation.
Big Deal for Big Ten as College Conference Lands $7 Billion, NFL-Style TV Contracts
| Associated Press
The Big Ten announced Thursday it has reached seven-year agreements with Fox, CBS and NBC to share the rights to the conference’s football and basketball games. The deals go into effect in 2023 and eventually will allow the conference’s member universities to share more than $1 billion per year, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press.
State Party Leaders Rally the Base at Illinois State Fair on Democrat Day
| Amanda Vinicky
Democrats hold all of Illinois’ statewide offices and super-majorities in the legislature, and they’re looking to not only keep it that way come November, but to also tighten their stronghold, including by tipping suburban contests, like the DuPage and Kane County boards.
Aug. 17, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
We’re live at the Illinois State Fair and it’s Democrat Day. Plus, opening statements in the R. Kelly trial. Why insulin is so expensive. And earning a bachelor’s degree in a maximum security prison.
Spotlight Politics: Illinois Dems Focus on Unity, Target GOP Nominee Darren Bailey at State Fair
| Alexandra Silets
Highland Park calls for a ban on semi-automatic weapons. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Law Caps Monthly Insulin Cost for Medicare Users, But Cost Remains High For Others
| Jennifer Cotto
President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law this week, which among other things, puts a $35 cap on insulin prices. But that will only apply to Medicare recipients, leaving the rest of Americans who depend on the life-saving medication to continue paying huge prices.
Through Unique Program, Men in Prison Overcome Challenges to Earn Degrees from Northwestern University
| Brandis Friedman
While many schools will offer classes for credit to prison inmates, Northwestern University says its the only top 10 school that grants degrees to prisoners. And next spring, students at Stateville Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison in Will County, will be the first to receive their bachelor's degrees from Northwestern while in prison.
New City College Program Aims to Fill Health Care Shortage With Immigrant Professionals
| Andrea Flores
The Chicago Welcome Back Center launched Tuesday at Richard J. Daley College and will serve as a resource center for individuals trained internationally in health care fields who are working to receive licensure in the U.S.
Ethics Board Clears Lightfoot’s Use of City Vehicles, Aides, Security Detail on Campaign Trail
| Heather Cherone
The unanimous advisory opinion issued Monday and signed by Chair William Conlon represents the first time the board has addressed the issues that surround the decision by an incumbent mayor to run for re-election.
R. Kelly, Co-Defendants Worked to Hide Singer’s ‘Dark Side’ From Public: Prosecutors
| Matt Masterson
Opening statements got underway at the Dirksen Federal Building on Wednesday in R. Kelly’s second federal trial, where he stands accused of multiple child pornography-related charges, as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice and enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.
43-Year-Old Man Dies After Being Pulled From Water at Diversey Harbor
| Patty Wetli
The man was pulled from the water early Wednesday morning. More than 30 people have drowned in Lake Michigan so far in 2022.
U.S. Midterms Bring Few Changes from Social Media Companies on Misinformation Efforts
| Associated Press
Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are generally staying the course from the 2020 voting season, which was marred by conspiracies and culminated in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Video app TikTok, which has soared in popularity since the last election cycle, announced Wednesday it is launching an election center.
Scientists Warn of Dire Effects as Mediterranean Sea Heats Up; Temperatures Spike 5 to 9 Degrees Above Norm
| Associated Press
From Barcelona to Tel Aviv, scientists say they are witnessing exceptional temperature hikes ranging from 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit to 9 degrees Fahrenheit above the norm for this time of year. Water temperatures have regularly exceeded 86 degrees on some days.
Liz Cheney Ponders 2024 Presidential Bid After Losing Wyoming GOP Primary
| Associated Press
Speaking to NBC in the wake of her loss, the third-term congresswoman called Trump “a very grave threat and risk to our republic,” and said defeating him will require “a broad and united front of Republicans, Democrats and independents — and that’s what I intend to be part of.”
Aug. 16, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
President Biden signs his signature piece of legislation. The state’s top doctor on COVID and more. An Afghanistan war interpreter’s fight for citizenship. And the Morton Arboretum turns 100.
New State Health Director Starts Tenure with Challenges Around COVID-19, Monkeypox and Polio
| Jennifer Cotto
Dr. Sameer Vohra took over the Illinois Department of Public Health earlier this month.
Marine From Chicago Documents Friendship with Afghan Interpreter and Struggle to Secure His Safety
| Eunice Alpasan
A dual memoir by a Chicago-native U.S. Marine and an Afghan interpreter offers insight into the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan one year later and the Afghans who are still trying to find safety and security.
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