Stories by Matt Masterson
Aviation Officer Fired After United Dragging Incident Suing City, Airline
| Matt Masterson
The former security officer claims he was improperly trained and later defamed by the head of the Chicago Department of Aviation.
Top Cop Eddie Johnson Vows Changes to Chicago Gang Database
| Paris Schutz
The controversial database is coming under legal scrutiny as many say they have been wrongly added to the list and targeted.
FBI Raids of Trump’s Personal Attorney Cohen Raise Questions
| Alexandra Silets
Search warrants for Monday’s raid were reportedly obtained to collect evidence, in part, for Michael Cohen’s $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. What it all might mean.
Chicago Hospitals Strive to Increase Life Expectancy on West Side
| Evan Garcia
On Chicago’s West Side, the average life expectancy is just 69 years. What one coalition of health care institutions and professionals is doing to change that.
Study: US Clinicians Project Better Health Outcomes for White Patients
| Kristen Thometz
A hypothetical male patient diagnosed with hypertension served as the starting point for a University of Chicago study on racial bias in health care in the U.S. and France.
From Pyeongchang to ‘Heart and Seoul,’ Exhibit Highlights Korean Culture
| Amanda Vinicky
The Winter Olympics are long gone, but at the Chicago Children’s Museum, kids can continue to experience elements of the Korean culture they’ve seen glimpses of on TV.
Meet Chicago’s New Greek Orthodox Church Leader
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
The Greek Orthodox faithful of Chicago have a new leader. Metropolitan Nathanael Symeonides was enthroned on March 24 and is only the second in this region.
Emily Graslie’s New Podcast Explores Science Through Storytelling
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
She has held the unique job title of Chief Curiosity Correspondent at the Field Museum since 2013. Now, Emily Graslie tells us about her new podcast “ExploreAStory.”
CPS Students Shrink Achievement Gap, But Overall Progress Remains Stable
| Matt Masterson
The achievement gap between white and minority students within Chicago Public Schools has shrunk, according to a national assessment, but the shift wasn’t caused by higher student scores.
March for Science Returns to Chicago as Science Fair, Rally
| Alex Ruppenthal
After drawing an estimated 60,000 people to the inaugural event last year, Chicago’s second installment of the March for Science returns this weekend – with a few changes.
Gov. Rauner Lays Out an Election-Year Agenda
| Amanda Vinicky
The remaining 7.5 weeks of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session comprise Gov. Bruce Rauner’s last real chance before November’s election to show voters that the skills he used to amass a personal fortune can transfer to state government.
How the Cubs Changed Baseball – and America’s Relationship to the Sport
| Alexandra Silets
That storied and unstoppable Cubs double-play combination of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” is chronicled in a new book. We talk Cubs history with author David Rapp.
Apollo 8 Astronauts Recount Historic Mission at ‘Rocket Men’ Book Launch
| Eddie Arruza
The Apollo 8 astronauts reunite in Chicago as a new book by local author Robert Kurson celebrates the historic first human flight to the moon.
Shomari Legghette, Paul Bauer: A Portrait of 2 Lives in Chicago Magazine
| WTTW News
Chicago magazine offers detailed portraits of slain police Cmdr. Paul Bauer and the man charged in the case with first-degree murder. We speak with the reporters behind the story.
United 2017 Dragging Incident a Lesson for Airlines?
| Evan Garcia
United Airline’s PR disaster might have served as a wake-up call to major airlines. An annual report rates how they’re doing.
Rep. Mike Quigley on Election Security, Russian Interference
| Nick Blumberg
As special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election moves forward, Illinois is in line for some $13 million in federal money to bolster election security.
Emanuel: Rauner Abdicated ‘Primary Responsibility’ With Gun Dealer Veto
| Matt Masterson
Advocates of a bill aimed at strengthening state gun dealer regulations continue pushing for its passage, even after it was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
3 Illinois Deaths Linked to Synthetic Marijuana Use
| Kristen Thometz
Two Illinois men in their 20s and one in his 40s have died since March 28 after experiencing severe bleeding related to the use of synthetic cannabinoids, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Osprey Sighting in Cook County a Sign of Spring
| Alex Ruppenthal
Despite the early April snow showers, a recent bird sighting in Cook County is a strong sign that warmer spring weather is just around the corner.
CSO and Chorus Create Wondrous Veil of Sound, Color with Ravel and Debussy
| Hedy Weiss
The concert now being performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus – with the German conductor-composer Matthias Pintscher in flawless command – is sure to serve as a vivid reminder that Maurice Ravel’s genius was far more complex than “Bolero.”
The Week in Review: Remembering MLK’s Legacy
| Alexandra Silets
Remembering the legacy of a civil rights giant. Chicago’s mayoral race heats up. Sinclair Broadcasting’s “must-run” conservative commentaries rattle WGN. And Hawks Coach Q is coming back despite a dismal season.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: UChicago Police Release Shooting Video
| Alexandra Silets
Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the shooting this week of a University of Chicago student with mental health issues.
Chicago Joins Lawsuit Against EPA Over Methane Emissions
| Alex Ruppenthal
A coalition of states and cities sue the EPA over its regulation of emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Reports of Illness Linked to Synthetic Cannabinoid Use Surge in 2018
| Kristen Thometz
In the first 95 days of 2018, there have been 111 cases of illness related to synthetic cannabinoid use in Illinois, according to the Illinois Poison Center. Episodes of severe bleeding are driving the bulk of that increase.
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