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Push to Use Downtown Property Taxes to Fund Far South Side Red Line Extension Faces Uncertain Future
| Heather Cherone
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) said the plan would be a “bad deal” for residents of Bronzeville and set a bad precedent. The proposal from Lightfoot’s administration would create a new tax-increment financing district along the southern branch of the CTA Red Line to generate $950 million for the project.
FBI Search at Trump Mar-a-Lago Estate One of Several Probes
| Associated Press
The FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate marked an unprecedented escalation of the law enforcement scrutiny of the former president, but the operation is just one part of one investigation related to Trump and his time in office.
Some Neighborhoods on South and West Sides See Increasing ‘Pharmacy Deserts’
| Andrea Flores
Pockets of Chicago — particularly on the South and West sides — lack convenient access to a local pharmacy. As a result, access to medications and other vital health services becomes more limited.
Police Official Tasked With Overseeing Consent Decree Reforms Let Go From CPD
| Matt Masterson
Robert Boik, who served as executive director of the CPD’s Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform, is no longer with the department, a police spokesperson confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
‘The Devil Wears Prada’: A New Musical in Need of Major Alterations
| Hedy Weiss
In a pre-Broadway Chicago tryout, “The Devil Wears Prada” musical features miscalculated costume design, a score lacking in magic and uneven direction. What’s more, the attempt to update the story for 2022 undercuts the time period so essential to both the book and film.
Grand Jury in Mississippi Declines to Indict Woman in Emmett Till Killing
| Associated Press
After hearing more than seven hours of testimony from investigators and witnesses, a Leflore County grand jury last week determined there was insufficient evidence to indict Carolyn Bryant Donham on charges of kidnapping and manslaughter.
8 Murder Convictions Tied to Disgraced Ex-Chicago Detective Vacated Tuesday
| Matt Masterson
Prosecutors won't oppose post-conviction litigation for eight people with murder convictions tied to ex-Detective Reynaldo Guevara because the state’s attorney “no longer believes in the validity of these convictions or the credibility of the evidence.”
Aug. 8, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Could Indiana’s business loss be Illinois’ gain? Plus, the outgoing local head of the FBI, a local congressman just back from a controversial visit to Taiwan and unpacking the major climate bill passed by the Senate.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Who Traveled to Asia with Speaker Pelosi, Rejects Criticism of Taiwan Trip
| Paul Caine
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, is rejecting criticism of a visit to Taiwan by a congressional delegation led by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week.
Crain’s Headlines: Illinois Poised to Gain Indiana’s Business Losses Due to Abortion Law
| WTTW News
Illinois is poised to gain some of Indiana’s losses due to the Hoosier state’s new abortion law. Boeing prepares to resume delivery of its 787 Dreamliner jets. And Groupon makes some major cuts to its workforce.
17 People — Including Lightfoot’s Zoning Board Chair — Apply to Fill Vacant 43rd Ward Chicago City Council Seat
| Heather Cherone
Seventeen people applied to replace soon-to-be former Ald. Michele Smith on the Chicago City Council and represent the city’s 43rd Ward, including Timmy Knudsen, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s handpicked chair of the city’s Zoning Board, the mayor’s office announced late Friday.
Chicago Special Agent in Charge Retires from FBI After 30 Years
| Acacia Hernandez
The head of Chicago’s FBI office is retiring after 30 years of service. Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. has been running the Midwest’s largest FBI field office since 2019.
Donald Trump Says FBI Conducted Search of Mar-a-Lago Estate
| Associated Press
Former President Donald Trump said in a lengthy statement Monday that the FBI was conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate. A person familiar with the matter said the action was related to a probe of whether Trump had taken classified records from his White House tenure to his Florida residence.
Officials Announce Deal to Power Chicago Facilities with Solar Energy by 2025
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the agreement would strike a blow against climate change that scientists say has already begun to cause disasters such as floods and strong storms.
Study Connects Climate Hazards to 58% of Infectious Diseases
| Associated Press
Researchers looked through the medical literature of established cases of illnesses and found that 218 out of the known 375 human infectious diseases, or 58%, seemed to be made worse by one of 10 types of extreme weather connected to climate change.
What’s in Democrats’ Big Bill? Climate, Health Care, Savings
| Associated Press
The estimated $740 billion package is full of party priorities. Those include capping prescription drug costs at $2,000 out of pocket for seniors, helping Americans pay for private health insurance and what Democrats are calling the most substantial investment in history to fight climate change, some $375 billion over the decade.
Party Bus Driver Charged With Striking 18 Vehicles Near Market Days Festival
| Matt Masterson
Gregory Baldwin, 45, was charged with a felony count of criminal damage to property, and misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
8 Killed, At Least 46 People Wounded Across Chicago in Weekend Shootings: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 54 people were shot in 45 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Nearly 500 US Flights Canceled and Nearly 2,000 Delayed on Monday
| CNN
On Sunday, Chicago O’Hare saw the most cancellations and delays, with approximately 12% of flights canceled, and over 45% of flights delayed.
Senate Democrats Approve Big Biden Economic Package Deal; House to Vote Next
| Associated Press
The estimated $740 billion package heads next to the House, where lawmakers are poised to deliver on Biden’s priorities, a stunning turnaround of what had seemed a lost and doomed effort that suddenly roared back to political life. Democrats held united, 51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.
After Supreme Court Ruling, Immigrant Rights Advocates Push for End to ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy
| Erica Gunderson
In June, a Supreme Court decision overruled a lower court that forced the policy to be reinstated in December. But while President Joe Biden previously tried to end the policy, there has been little comment thus far on when his administration might officially follow through.
GOP Seeking Power Over Elections in Wisconsin, Minnesota
| Associated Press
All three GOP candidates for secretary of state competing for the nomination in Tuesday’s primary in Wisconsin support the shift and echo former President Donald Trump’s false claims that fraud cost him the 2020 election.
As Latino College Enrollment Takes COVID Hit, Educators Say Outreach and Support Are Critical
| Erica Gunderson
A report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows a 5.4% drop in the head count of Latino undergraduates in fall of 2020. And for the first time in 20 years, the number of Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education dropped from 569 in 2022 to 559 in 2021.
Clinical Trial for Those at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease Seeks Participants
| Erica Gunderson
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that among Black Americans age 70 and older, more than 21% are living with that disease. Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is launching a clinical trial of a new drug therapy for those at risk, and they’re looking for participants in Chicago.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 6, 2022- Full Show
| WTTW News
Attempts to level the playing field as the state rolls out more cannabis licenses. Plus, guns in the hands of Chicago teens in this week’s “Black Voices” book club. And training the next generation of environmental health advocates.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Aug. 6, 2022- Full Show
| WTTW News
Immigrant advocates on the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Plus, what’s behind dropping college enrollment for Latinos. A soaring mural in Pilsen. And advice for an upcoming celestial show.
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