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After 100 Years, Morton Arboretum Just Keeps Growing

This year marks the centennial of the Morton Arboretum in DuPage County. Fifty years before it was established, the founder’s father started Arbor Day. Producer Marc Vitali visited the 1,700-acre public garden for a bit of history and to meet a photographer who has explored the place since his first visit in the 1960s.

Dance for Life’s Benefit a Thrilling Highlight of the City’s ‘Year of Chicago Dance’ Celebration

Saturday evening’s Dance for Life program at the Auditorium Theatre served as an invaluable example of what a treasure that community has become. And the annual benefit extravaganza — a grand showcase of the city’s impressive range of talent and styles — was driven by an even more crucial goal.

Kraft Heinz Recalling Contaminated Capri Sun Juice Pouches

The company said it’s recalling about 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry flavored juice blend. The “Best When Used By” date on the packages is June 25, 2023.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot Touts Glow at End of Chicago’s Pension Debt Tunnel

In 2019, Chicago paid more than $1.31 billion to its four pension funds benefitting police officers, firefighters, municipal employees and laborers. In 2023, Chicago will pay more than $2.34 billion to the same four funds.

Aug. 15, 2022 - Full Show

A glimmer of hope for the Mag Mile, lessons learned on the one-year anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal, the troubling resurgence of Polio, a hostile workplace lawsuit roils Amazon and a Little Village mall in limbo.

Explainer: What to Know About Polio Spreading in New York

Polio was once one of the nation’s most feared diseases, with annual outbreaks causing thousands of cases of paralysis. Its elimination in the U.S., officially declared in 1979, is considered one of the nation’s greatest public health victories.

As Contract Set to Expire, Fate of Little Village Discount Mall Still a Mystery

For now, it’s business as usual inside the Discount Mall in Little Village as customers navigate through the aisles and vendors work to land a sale. But these merchants don’t know how long they have left to run their businesses. 

Crain’s Headlines: Cartier Plans to Close Michigan Avenue Store, Swarovski Leases Space Next Door

The Magnificent Mile is getting hit with another couple of retail losses but, there’s a glimmer of hope for the city’s premiere shopping strip. A proposal has been made for Chicago’s first development of multiple homes made of shipping containers and a new ice cream bar hopes to provide adults with a cold treat.

Amazon Employees Say Company Retaliated After Charges of Racially Hostile Work Environment

Late last month, 26 current and former employees of a Joliet Amazon warehouse accused the company of allowing a racially hostile work environment. They’ve since been joined by a dozen more workers, who’ve filed charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

Afghanistan Marks 1 Year Since Taliban Seizure as Woes Mount

A year after the dramatic day, much has changed in Afghanistan. The former insurgents struggle to govern and remain internationally isolated. The economic downturn has driven millions more Afghans into poverty and even hunger, as the flow of foreign aid slowed to a trickle.

10 Years After First DACA Applications, Young Immigrants Still Face Worries Over Program’s Future

A decade ago, thousands of young immigrants showed up to Navy Pier for a chance to meet with immigration experts and submit their application for a new program: the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA. 

Ald. Derrick Curtis Fined $1K for Using His City Email to Tout Lightfoot’s Reelection Kickoff

Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th Ward), a Lightfoot ally, sent an email on June 2 to residents of his Far South Side ward that included an advertisement for the mayor’s re-election kickoff event at the Starlight Restaurant on June 8. 

Car Found in ‘Horrific’ Crash That Killed 3 Men, Injured 1 in South Shore; Police Searching for Driver

The car involved in the crash has been recovered. Now the search is on for the driver in what appears to be an intentional act that took place Sunday outside South Shore’s Jeffery Pub, police said.

Potential Jurors Questioned as R. Kelly’s Child Pornography Trial Begins in Chicago

Jury selection in R. Kelly’s trial began Monday inside a 25th-floor courtroom at the Dirksen Federal Building, where the 55-year-old Chicago native 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.

8 Killed, 36 Wounded in Shootings Across Chicago Over the Weekend: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 44 people were shot in 35 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Jury Selection Begins Monday in R. Kelly’s Child Pornography Trial in Chicago

Jury selection begins Monday morning at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown, where the 55-year-old Chicago native will stand trial, nearly a year after a New York jury convicted him of sex trafficking and other charges.

Some Capitol Rioters Try to Profit From Jan. 6 Crimes With Online Donations, Merchandise Sale

Websites and crowdfunding platforms have been set up to collect donations for Capitol riot defendants who try to portray them as mistreated patriots or even political prisoners.

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 13, 2022 - Full Show

New research on civic engagement, and how the work in Black communities isn’t always counted. The head of Chicago’s FBI office retires. Bud Billiken expands. And remembering Albert Woodfox.

Census Says Volunteering Declined in Chicago, But New Report Highlights Community Organizing Work

Census data says volunteering has declined in Chicago, while new research says previously collected data doesn’t include the wide range of community organizing in the city, oftentimes leaving out the work of Black, Latino and working-class people.

One-on-One with Mike Andrade, Indiana’s Only Latino State Representative

According to the Indiana Latino Institute, undocumented immigrants contribute nearly $100 million to the state’s economy. Yet when it comes to their representation in the general assembly the state has a single Latino representative.

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Aug. 13, 2022 - Full Show

The lone Latino lawmaker in Indiana and his thoughts on political representation. Plus, pharmacy deserts on the city’s west side. And Discount Mall vendors searching for answers. 

R Kelly Accuser to Give Key Testimony on Trial-Fixing Charge

R. Kelly goes into Chicago federal court already sentenced by a New York federal judge to 30-year prison term for a 2021 conviction on charges he parlayed his fame to sexually abuse other young fans.

The Week in Review: List Unsealed, FBI Removes Nuclear Secrets from Mar-a-Lago

The FBI vs. former President Trump. A scaled-back property tax increase. And tension at the CPD over the firing of the officer in charge of reform.

FBI Seized Top Secret Documents in Trump Estate Search

The FBI recovered “top secret” and even more sensitive documents from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The seized records include some marked not only top secret but also “sensitive compartmented information,” a special category meant to protect the nation's most important secrets that if revealed publicly could cause “exceptionally grave” damage to U.S. interests.

Ohio Gunman Appeared to Threaten FBI After Trump Search

Federal investigators are examining social media accounts they believe are tied to the gunman, 42-year-old Ricky Shiffer, according to the official, who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Milwaukee

Chicago is waiting to see whether Democrats will choose it above Atlanta, Houston and New York as the host city for the party's 2024 convention. But Republicans have already made their selection: Milwaukee.
 

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