Stories by Matt Masterson
Betsy DeVos, Mayor Emanuel Scheduled to Meet Wednesday
| Matt Masterson
Chicago's mayor and the U.S. education secretary have a 10:30 a.m. meeting scheduled Wednesday morning. But the location and content of their talk is not yet known.
Chicago Creates Office to Address, Prevent Chronic Diseases
| Kristen Thometz
The new Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control will “streamline” the city’s current efforts and look for new ways to help prevent and improve the management of chronic conditions and diseases.
Chicago Commits to Renewable Energy for 900-Plus Government Buildings
| Alex Ruppenthal
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday a commitment to transition the city’s municipal buildings and operations to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2025.
Bald Eagles Spotted Near O’Hare Signal a Comeback
| Jay Shefsky
In the early 1960s, bald eagles were nearly extinct in the lower 48 states. But government protections and conservation measures have had a huge impact on their numbers. “I think it’s an incredible success story,” said biologist Chris Anchor.
Study: Electric Fields Skull Cap Improves Brain Cancer Survival
| Kristen Thometz
A new treatment for a deadly form of brain cancer is seeing dramatic study results. “When I first started, less than 10 percent of patients with glioblastoma were alive at five years. Now we’re at 12 to 15 percent,” said Roger Stupp, a neuro-oncologist at Northwestern University.
Armed Robbery Case Exposes Flaw in Chicago Park District Hiring
Organization plans to expand background checks following OIG report, Chicago Tonight inquiry
| Alex Ruppenthal
After unknowingly hiring a man convicted of armed robbery, battery and other felonies and misdemeanors, the Chicago Park District is changing its policy on background checks.
Cook County Sheriff: ICE Agents Shouldn’t Identify as Police
| Maya Miller
A recent wave of videos on social media show Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents arriving at Chicago residences in unmarked cars, knocking on doors while donning vests and jackets that say “police.”
Barbara Byrd-Bennett Attorneys Ask for 3.5-Year Sentence in Fraud Case
| Matt Masterson
In a sentencing memo filed Friday, Barbara Byrd-Bennett’s attorneys admit she “harbored a very real and greedy sense of entitlement” that she was earning something she deserved by steering millions of dollars in CPS contracts to her former employer.
Noble Charter Teachers File Charges Against Network Administration
Educators say management interfering in unionization process
| Matt Masterson
Noble teachers announced Friday they have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, citing administration's “use of surveillance” to interfere with their rights granted by the National Labor Relations Act.
The Week in Review: Pritzker Enters Race for Governor
| Nick Blumberg
J.B. Pritzker launches his bid for Illinois governor. The U.S. Senate uses the “nuclear option” to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. And baseball season gets underway. These stories and more with Paris Schutz and guests.
Global Affairs Take Center Stage as Trump Welcomes Chinese President
| Paul Caine
Some major policy decisions for the Trump administration as global events heat up.
Singer Liz Callaway Returns to Chicago
| Marc Vitali
She made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along” in 1981. Liz Callaway joins us in conversation and performance.
J.B. Pritzker Announces Bid for Illinois Governor
| Paris Schutz
Add another name to the field of Democratic candidates for governor – one that has been long anticipated.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Keyboarding Over Cursive? Why Not Both?’
| Erica Gunderson
Viewers wrote in with their thoughts on teaching cursive in schools.
ReptileFest a Chance to Meet Slimy, Slithery Creatures
| Erica Gunderson
ReptileFest is back! We welcome some scaly, slinky and slithery friends to our set.
Cavalia’s Epic ‘Odysseo’ Gallops onto Chicago’s Lakefront
| Erica Gunderson
A big show is brewing under the big top, with a cast and crew of more than 200 – plus 65 horses. We go behind the scenes of “Odysseo.”
10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 6-9
| Maya Miller
A “delightful” record fair, drink festivals and giant horse show usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
Virus May Trigger Celiac Disease, Study Says
| Kristen Thometz
Nearly 3 million Americans have celiac disease, and a new study links a common but otherwise harmless virus to the condition.
CTU Drops Strike Vote, Encourages Other Action on May 1
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Teachers Union will not hold a May Day strike, but group leadership is planning a “proportional” response to whatever cuts are made to the end of this school year by Chicago Public Schools.
Head of Police Board Says Consent Decree Now ‘Unlikely’
| Paul Caine
The prospects for police reform without a consent decree from the Justice Department.
‘Oppositions’ Gallery Exhibit Invites Political Reflection
| Maya Miller
Curators of a new show at the Jackson Junge Gallery wanted to highlight political issues without taking sides. “I didn’t want it to be a political, Trump-bashing show,” said Chris Jackson, the gallery’s owner and director.
Chicago Charter Advocates Protest Bill Limiting School Growth
| Matt Masterson
Dozens of charter school advocates and parents gathered outside Will Guzzardi’s Logan Square office Wednesday to protest a bill from the state representative that would limit charter growth in financially struggling Illinois school districts.
World of Robotics and Automation on Display in Chicago
| Eddie Arruza
They’re fast, they’re precise and in some cases they’re even ... cute. We visit the trade show Automate to get a look at the latest in robotics.
David Schwimmer on ‘Beyond Caring’ at Lookingglass
| Marc Vitali
Actor David Schwimmer talks television, movies and the new play he brought to Lookingglass Theatre.
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