Stories by Associated Press
FDA Allows 1st Rapid Virus Test That Gives Results at Home
| Associated Press
The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites.
Twitter, Facebook CEOs Vow Election Action; GOP Touts Curbs
| Associated Press
As the CEOs of Twitter and Facebook gave assurances of vigorous action against election disinformation, Republicans at a Senate hearing Tuesday pounded the social media companies over political bias, business practices and market dominance.
CPS: Education Equity Remains An Issue Through First Quarter
| Matt Masterson
CPS Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade said that while the number of A’s given to students this school year is up compared to last year, so too is the number of F’s, particularly among students of color.
As Lines Grow, City to Expand COVID-19 Testing With $14M From Feds
| Heather Cherone
Acknowledging that demand for COVID-19 tests has grown exponentially during a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago officials announced Wednesday that the city will open a new testing site at Midway Airport.
November 18, 2020 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Nov. 18, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
Lightfoot’s Plan to Hike Property Taxes by $93.9M Clears Key Hurdle
| Heather Cherone
The City Council’s Finance Committee advanced Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s $12.8 billion spending plan to the full City Council on a 21-12 vote Wednesday.
FAA Clears Boeing 737 Max to Fly Again
| Associated Press
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced the move early Wednesday, saying it was done after a “comprehensive and methodical” 20-month review process.
Chicago’s Museums Shutting Down for Second Time Due to COVID-19, Reopenings Uncertain
| Patty Wetli
Chicago's museums are facing a second shutdown and an uncertain future. Many closures are open-ended or will last at least through the remainder of 2020.
Columnist Heidi Stevens Talks About Her COVID-19 Diagnosis
| Alexandra Silets
Heidi Stevens is a writer at the Chicago Tribune who taps into many of her own experiences for her “Balancing Act" column. But writing about her COVID-19 diagnosis — and an underlying heart condition — gave her pause.
Chicago Artist Explores Blackness as Both a Color and Identity in New Exhibit
| Angel Idowu
We explore the latest exhibition from Amanda Williams which responds to the social media trend Blackout Tuesday, in which Instagram users posted black squares to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Aldermen Advance Measure to Cap Fees Charged by Delivery Companies at 15%
| Heather Cherone
Aldermen on Tuesday unanimously advanced a proposal backed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to cap fees charged by delivery services such as Postmates, Grubhub and UberEats at 15% in an effort to help struggling restaurants.
An Infectious Disease Expert Offers Advice on Staying Safe During Thanksgiving
| Paul Caine
The COVID-19 pandemic means this year’s holiday season will be like no other. Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at UChicago Medicine, gives advice on how to safely navigate the holidays.
White House Chief of Staff: A Closer Look at This Critical Role
| Evan Garcia
President-elect Joe Biden recently announced longtime confidant Ron Klain as his White House chief of staff. As the president’s gatekeeper and top assistant, Klain will play a crucial role in managing who has access to Biden.
Shedd Aquarium Closing Through End of 2020 as Coronavirus Surges
| Patty Wetli
With the city and Cook County under stay-at-home advisories due to COVID 19, the Shedd Aquarium has decided to close its doors through the remainder of the year, targeting Jan. 2 for reopening, the aquarium announced.
CPS to Bring Back Some Students for In-Person Learning As Soon As Jan. 11
| Brandis Friedman
Though Illinois will soon see increased restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some Chicago Public Schools students and teachers are set to head back to the classroom. The head of CPS and Mayor Lightfoot discuss the plan.
Feds Pump Brakes on General Iron Permit Pending Fair Housing Investigation
| Patty Wetli
General Iron’s parent company has applied for its final permit to operate its metal-shredding operation on the Southeast Side, but federal officials have asked the city to hold off on making a decision.
Illinois Moves to ‘Tier 3’ Restrictions Starting Friday to Curb COVID-19 Surge
COVID-19 in Illinois: 12,601 New Cases, 97 Additional Deaths
| Kristen Thometz
Facing “exponential growth” in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Illinois will soon begin operating under tighter restrictions designed to stop the spread of the virus — and avoid another stay-at-home order, the governor said.
Aldermen Resist Lightfoot’s Plan to Hike Property Taxes, Imperiling Spending Plan
| Heather Cherone
Aldermen from across the political spectrum pressured Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s budget team on Tuesday to come up with a proposal to head off a $93.9 million property tax hike.
Campaign Launches to Flip Black Friday to ‘Black Shop Friday’ This Holiday Season
| Patty Wetli
“Black Friday has been around for a long time, but what has been missing is the Blackness,” said the creators of the program, which encourages people to support Black-owned businesses in Chicago this holiday season.
‘You Should Not Be Traveling’: Officials Urge Residents to Stay Home on Thanksgiving
| Heather Cherone
Chicagoans should not travel to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family, the city’s top doctor said Tuesday, warning that the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is getting worse in Chicago.
November 17, 2020 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Nov. 17, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
Theo Epstein Steps Down After 9 Seasons Leading Cubs
| Associated Press
Theo Epstein, who transformed the long-suffering Chicago Cubs and helped bring home a drought-busting championship in 2016, is stepping down after nine seasons as the club’s president of baseball operations.
COVID-19 and the Courts: 5 Cook County Judges Test Positive This Month
| Matt Masterson
Five Cook County Circuit Court judges and 37 more employees working under the office of Chief Judge Timothy Evans have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far this month.
For Some Restaurants, It’s Cheaper to Close Than to Remain Open
| Amanda Vinicky
It’s been a solid eight months since government leaders in Chicago and Illinois began asking residents to limit their activities due to the coronavirus. A new round of that took effect in the city on Monday.
What Joe Biden’s Transportation Agenda Could Mean For Chicago
| Quinn Myers
On the campaign trail, Joe Biden said he’d expand federal investment in America’s infrastructure and transportation systems, at a time when they desperately need it. But will Biden’s rhetoric turn into concrete action?
Joe Walsh: ‘We Can’t Normalize’ President Trump’s Behavior
| Nick Blumberg
President Donald Trump has aggressively promoted misinformation and disinformation questioning the results of the election, which he lost. Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, a fierce Trump critic, weighs in.
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