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Illinois to Use $760M from Opioid Settlements to Fund Treatment, Prevention Programs: Pritzker
| Heather Cherone
The agreement represents the second largest national settlement in U.S. history, dwarfed only by the agreements with tobacco firms reached in the 1990s.
Richer Nations Fall Short on Climate Finance Pledge
| Associated Press
$83.3 billion in climate financing was given to poorer countries in 2020, a 4% increase from the previous year, but still short of the proposed goal. The United Nations-backed payment plan was first agreed in 2009 to help poorer nations adapt to the effects of climate change and reduce emissions.
St. Louis Region Hit by More Flooding, Prompting Rescues
| Associated Press
No injuries were reported from Thursday’s flooding, but the St. Louis Fire Department said on Twitter that it responded to 75 flooding-related emergencies and 60 people were rescued or helped to safety.
Will Smith Posts An Apology Video for Slapping Chris Rock
| Associated Press
Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him during the Oscar telecast in a new video, saying that his behavior was “unacceptable” and that he had reached out to the comedian to discuss the incident but was told Rock wasn’t ready.
How To Recession-Proof Your Life Amid Economic Uncertainty
| Associated Press
Economists are divided over whether a recession is looming. What’s clear is that economic uncertainty isn’t going away anytime soon. But there are steps you can take now to be ready for whatever is ahead.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Waukegan
| Acacia Hernandez
Located about 30 miles north of downtown Chicago, Waukegan has recently become a hub for Planned Parenthood doctors in Wisconsin to treat their patients since that state halted abortions after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
July 28, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The mayor says city won’t cooperate in out-of-state abortion probes. What’s causing the myriad of issues on the CTA? Inside the latest economic numbers. And we’re live at Lollapalooza and in Waukegan.
US Economy Shrinks for a 2nd Quarter, Raising Recession Fear
| Associated Press
The decline that the Commerce Department reported Thursday in the gross domestic product — the broadest gauge of the economy — followed a 1.6% annual drop from January through March. Consecutive quarters of falling GDP constitute one informal, though not definitive, indicator of a recession.
CTA Service Slowdowns, Crime Issues Make Transit Rides Difficult for Chicago Commuters
| Jennifer Cotto
Riders returning to public transit have seen a noticeable slowdown in service and a breakdown in reliability. In the last three weeks, there have been at least two major stabbing incidents and a host of attempted robberies on city trains.
Lightfoot Bans Chicago Police from Investigating People Seeking Abortions or Their Doctors
| Heather Cherone
The move backs a push from progressive members of the City Council to enshrine those protections into law. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s announcement came one day after several progressive members of the City Council urged their colleagues to protect those crossing state lines to get reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Chicago.
As Lollapalooza Kicks Off, New Generation of Musicians Hopes to Make a Splash
| Angel Idowu
Lollapalooza kicked off Thursday as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to descend upon Grant Park for the annual four-day music festival.
After Summer of High-Profile Gigs, 15-Year-Old DJ Livia Returns for Chicago Area Performance July 30
| Yahya Salem
From homelessness to house parties to the major leagues. From Berwyn to Hollywood. DJ Livia has a life full of experiences and had worked with an impressive list of celebrities despite being only 15 years old.
How Should You Talk to Kids About Traumatic Events? ‘The Imagine Neighborhood’ Podcast Aims to Grow Social-Emotional Skills
| Kristen Thometz
Developed by the Committee for Children, a nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of children, the podcast uses stories, music and activities to help children and adults talk about their feelings and solve problems together. And it doesn’t shy away from topics like racism, prejudice and equity.
Schumer Rallies Democrats After Surprise Health Care, Climate Deal With Manchin
| Associated Press
The $739 billion package package would address health care and climate, raising taxes on high earners and large corporations and reducing federal debt. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned his colleagues in the 50-50 Senate that final passage will be hard.
July 27, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The deal to make the Thompson Center Google’s new home. A rift in the Illinois Democratic party threatens the pitch to host the DNC. Will the Russians pull out of the International Space Station?
Spotlight Politics: Battle Over Illinois Democratic Party Chair; Lightfoot Pitches Soldier Field Dome
| Paul Caine
Debate over who should chair the Democratic Party of Illinois continues as Gov. J.B. Pritzker recruits state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) to run against current chair U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.
Chicago School Board Won’t Fire 2 Teachers Who Protested Metal Scrapper’s Move from North Side
| Heather Cherone
The board voted 6-0 to reject the recommendation from Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez that teachers Lauren Bianchi and Charles “Chuck” Stark be terminated for violating safety rules involving protests and a trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Instead, they each got a warning and were directed to undergo training.
Chicago and Ukraine Artists Rage Against the War Machine
| Marc Vitali
An art show near Ukrainian Village is a cry of protest against the ongoing war in Ukraine. Artists from Chicago and Ukraine are raising their voices in opposition to the Russian invasion.
Russia Says It Will Quit the International Space Station After 2024
| CNN
NASA said in February it intends to keep operating the International Space Station until the end of 2030, after which the ISS would be deorbited and crashed into a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. Commercially operated space platforms would replace the ISS as a venue for collaboration and scientific research, NASA said.
Google Buys Thompson Center, Will Preserve Much Loved, Loathed Loop Landmark
| Heather Cherone
Google’s announcement that it would take the Helmut Jahn-designed structure off the state of Illinois’ hands caps a years-long effort to figure out what to do with 1.2-million-square-foot building at Randolph and LaSalle streets with its distinctive red-and-blue accented steel frame.
Captive Coyote at Center of ‘Ambassador’ Animal Controversy Will Remain at Cook County Forest Preserve But Get Bigger Digs
| Patty Wetli
Complaints from animal rights advocates regarding the coyote, dubbed “Rocky,” prompted the forest preserve to review its ambassador animal program. A report was released Tuesday, outlining changes to the program, including a bigger enclosure for the coyote.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: July 28-31
| Kristen Thometz
A massive music festival, cultural celebrations, vintage goods and a book fair usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
Ousted CPS Board Member Calls for Probe of New Near South High School Plan
| Heather Cherone
Former board member DwayneTruss called for the inspector general of the Chicago Public Schools to probe the deal that would allow the high school to be built at 24th and State streets, once home to the demolished CHA Harold L. Ickes homes.
Lookingglass Theatre Company to Host Free Performance Marking 1919 Race Riots
| Angel Idowu
This Wednesday, the Lookingglass Theatre Company will honor Eugene Williams at 31st Street Beach with an artistic ritual. On July 27, 1919, 17-year old Eugene Williams was stoned to death after unintentionally swimming over to the “Whites only” section of Lake Michigan.
21-Year-Old Man Charged in Highland Park Parade Shooting Indicted on 117 Counts
| Heather Cherone
The man charged with killing seven people at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade has been charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each of the seven people killed in the shooting.
As Chicago Surpasses 300 Monkeypox Cases, Officials Urge Testing
| Kristen Thometz
In Chicago, 326 people have tested positive for monkeypox, according to city officials who are urging residents to educate themselves about the virus and to get tested if they have symptoms.
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