Stories by Associated Press
Legal Showdown as Justice Department Resists Judge’s Demand for More Details on Deportation Flights to El Salvador
| Associated Press
It’s the latest development in a showdown between the Trump administration and the judge who temporarily blocked deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration. President Donald Trump has called for the judge’s impeachment as the Republican escalates his conflict with a judiciary after a series of court setbacks over his executive actions.
Weather Whiplash With Rain, Thunderstorms, Snow and Dusty Skies on Wednesday and Thursday
| Patty Wetli
On Wednesday and Thursday, the forecast for Chicago includes a chance of almost anything and everything: rain, thunderstorms, wind and even snow.
Local Live Music Recommendations for March 19-25
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
How the Proposed Ban on Cellphones in Illinois Classrooms Would Work
| Amanda Vinicky
“More focus on learning will bring even greater success for kids across the state,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “Furthermore, cyberbullying has expanded at alarming rates, and it’s time for Illinois to take measures to protect our kids.”
March 18, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Debate over a $175 million pension payment is heating up. And a local nonprofit is suing the Trump administration over its anti-DEI order.
Johnson Presses CPS Board to Make $175M Pension Payment, Reach Agreement With CTU
| Heather Cherone
The new 21-member, partially elected CPS board is set to vote Thursday on whether to make that pension payment and figure out how to pay for new contracts with the unions representing teachers and principals.
Chicago Nonprofit Supporting Women in Trades Sues Trump Administration Over Anti-DEI Orders
| Joanna Hernandez
The lawsuit challenges two of President Donald Trump’s executive orders ending government support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The orders call DEI programs illegal and immoral discrimination.
Surgeon General’s Advisory Declaring Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis Removed From Website
| CNN
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has removed the 2024 surgeon general’s advisory on gun violence from its website.
Lollapalooza 2025 Lineup Announced: Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Sabrina Carpenter and More
| Eunice Alpasan
Lollapalooza will be held from July 31-Aug. 3 in Grant Park. The four-day music festival includes more than 170 artists on eight stages.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Spoke for More Than an Hour as US Seeks Russian Sign-Off on Plan to End Ukraine War
| Associated Press
resident Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a lengthy phone conversation on Tuesday as the White House pushes for Russia to sign off on its 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Chief Justice John Roberts Rejects Trump’s Call for Impeaching Judge Who Ruled Against Deportation Plans
| Associated Press
In an extraordinary display of conflict between the executive and judiciary branches, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected calls for impeaching federal judges shortly after President Donald Trump demanded the removal of a judge who ruled against his deportation plans.
Yamamoto, Ohtani Deliver in Return to Japan, Dodgers Beat the Cubs 4-1 in Season Opener
| Associated Press
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Major League Baseball’s season opener at the Tokyo Dome.
What Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers? Illinois Lawmakers Target Industry They Say Drives Up Prescription Costs
| Amanda Vinicky
A pharmacy benefit manager negotiates prices with wholesalers, sets reimbursement rates on drugs and compiles the lists of which medicines an insurer will cover. But critics describe the industry as focused on self-enrichment and in need of regulation.
March 17, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What you should know about the Kennedy construction starting tonight. And how Illinois says it can save you money on prescriptions.
New Renderings Show Proposed Chicago Bears Stadium on Michael Reese Site
| Abena Bediako
It’s one more Hail Mary attempt to keep the Chicago Bears in the city and have them ditch their suburban plans.
Measles Cases in US Have Surpassed 2024 Total. Here’s What You Should Know
| Shelby Hawkins
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and had been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.
Prisoner Review Board Sued for Negligence a Year After Released Prisoner Killed Chicago Boy
| Hannah Meisel — Capitol News Illinois
Jayden Perkins, an accomplished young dancer, was stabbed to death last March while his mother, Laterria Smith, sustained “multiple life-threatening stab wounds to her neck, back, and chest while desperately trying to protect her children,” according to one of the lawsuits she filed last week.
On St. Patrick’s Day, ‘Riverdance’ Visits Chicago and Proves Irish Dance Isn’t for the Faint-Hearted
| Marc Vitali
This morning, I took my first-ever Irish dance lesson and got my butt kicked from here to Killarney. At the Irish American Heritage Center, two “Riverdance” dancers led a workshop of 35 to 40 dancers of varying age and experience.
‘Guys and Dolls,’ an Enduring Broadway Classic, Lights Up a Skokie Stage: Review
| Hedy Weiss
They really don’t create musicals like “Guys and Dolls” anymore. So, head straight to the superb Music Theater Works production of the show that debuted on Broadway in 1950.
Endangered Sea Stars Make Splashy Debut at Shedd, Where Researchers Are Working to Save the Species From Extinction
| Patty Wetli
A group of microscopic sunflower sea star larva arrived at Shedd Aquarium last year and have been bulking up behind the scenes ever since. Now, after growing 16,000%, they’re ready to make their public debut.
Toni Preckwinkle Announces Reelection Campaign for Cook County Board President
| Eunice Alpasan
Preckwinkle cited building upon efforts of her current tenure such as criminal justice reform, expanding health care access and relieving medical debt. The election will be held in 2026.
Tariffs on Lumber and Appliances Set Stage for Higher Costs on New Homes and Remodeling Projects
| Associated Press
The Trump administration’s tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico and China — some already in place, others set to take effect in a few weeks — are already driving up the cost of building materials used in new residential construction and home remodeling projects.
Donald Trump Administration Deports Hundreds of Immigrants Even as a Judge Orders Their Removals Be Stopped
| Associated Press
The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration targeting Venezuelan gang members.
Homeland Security Says Medical Professor Deported to Lebanon With US Visa Supported Hezbollah Leader
| Associated Press
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist, was to start work at Brown University as an assistant professor of medicine.
High Winds Will Make for Blustery St. Paddy's Celebrations on Saturday, Beware of Falling Trees
| Patty Wetli
A high wind warning is in effect for Chicago through noon on Saturday, with the potential to bring down trees and power lines, according to the National Weather Service.
Week in Review: Pritzker Says Education Department Cuts Could Cost State $3B; Downtown Shooting Revives Curfew Talk
| Paul Caine
What Trump’s Education Department overhaul could mean for Illinois students. And could an earlier downtown curfew cut crime?
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