Stories by Marissa Nelson
US Reps. Kelly, Casten on the Postal Service, Democratic National Convention
| Marissa Nelson
U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Sean Casten discuss recent changes at the U.S. Postal Service and funding for the agency as well the Democratic National Convention as part of our special coverage of the virtual gathering.
Poll: Pandemic Shifts How Consumers Use Gig Companies
| Associated Press
A new survey shows how consumer attitudes about using ride-hailing and delivery services have changed. It also highlights a wealth divide, where Americans with higher incomes are able to utilize the services to help reduce their risk of infection.
Gov. Pritzker Hails FDA Approval of U of I Coronavirus Test as Potential Game-Changer
| Heather Cherone
Gov. J.B. Pritzker hailed on Wednesday the decision by the Food and Drug Administration to grant emergency approval to a coronavirus test developed by University of Illinois researchers that uses saliva rather than a deep nasal swab.
How Community Input and COVID-Era Changes Can Inform Chicago’s Transportation Future
| Nick Blumberg
Chicago’s streets can have an impact on much more than the way we get from one place to another. That was the message from Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi in a speech to the City Club on Wednesday.
‘One of Us’: South Asians Celebrate Harris as VP Choice
| Associated Press
Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, often focuses on her identity as a Black woman. At times during her political career, as she ran for California attorney general and senator, some didn’t realize she was of Indian descent.
NASA Reports Closest Asteroid Flyby on Record
| Patty Wetli
An asteroid the size of an SUV buzzed past Earth over the weekend, coming closer to the planet than any other on record, according to NASA.
CPS Announces New Reforms to School Resource Officer Program
| Matt Masterson
School resource officers with sustained allegations of excessive force, or complaints of inappropriate interactions with youth in the past five years will no longer be eligible to serve in schools, city officials announced Wednesday.
Aldermen Call Special City Council Meeting to Pressure Lightfoot After Looting, Violence
| Heather Cherone
Four aldermen have called for a special Chicago City Council meeting in an effort to pressure Mayor Lori Lightfoot to ask Gov. J.B. Pritzker to call out the Illinois National Guard to reduce escalating violence and sustained protests amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Advocates Plan Birthday Gift for the 19th Amendment: The ERA
| Associated Press
It was a huge step forward for American women when, exactly 100 years ago, they finally gained the guaranteed right to vote with ratification of the 19th Amendment. But to Alice Paul, the step wasn’t nearly large enough.
US Reps. Davis, Garcia Prepare to Return to DC to Vote on USPS Bill
| Marissa Nelson
U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesus “Chuy" Garcia weigh in on the U.S. Postal Service, the stimulus plan and the Democratic National Convention as part of our special coverage of the virtual gathering.
CPS Releases Final Reopening Plan With 3 Weeks Left Before Classes Resume
| Matt Masterson
Three weeks before students return to a fully remote instruction plan for the fall, Chicago Public Schools released its final reopening plan and updated remote learning guidelines for students and families.
It’s a Girl! New Baby Zebra at the Lincoln Park Zoo Is Already Up and Running
| Patty Wetli
The yet-to-be-named foal was born Friday. Grevy’s zebras are endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and hunting.
Postal Service Halts Some Changes Amid Outcry, Lawsuits
| Associated Press
Facing mounting public pressure and a crush of state lawsuits, President Donald Trump’s new postmaster general announced Tuesday he is halting some operational changes to mail delivery.
Democrats’ Day 2 Focus: Trump’s Global Leadership Deficit
| Associated Press
A day after Michelle Obama’s passion wowed Democrats, Joe Biden is drawing on a collection of his party’s most experienced leaders at the Democratic National Convention to underscore what he calls a global leadership deficit.
How New Delegates are Celebrating the Virtual Democratic National Convention
| Blair Paddock
What’s it like to be a first-time delegate celebrating this year’s virtual convention? We ask Melissa Conyears-Ervin, the Chicago city treasurer, and Krystal Garcia Centeno, a member of the Progressive Turnout Project.
Safety Group: COVID-19 Likely to be the 3rd Leading Cause of Death in 2020
| Kristen Thometz
With more than 170,000 coronavirus-related deaths so far reported in the U.S. in 2020, the virus is on pace to becoming the third leading cause of death this year, according to the National Safety Council.
Chicago to Roll Out Plan to Replace Lead Service Lines Shown to Contaminate Tap Water in Homes
| Heather Cherone
City officials are putting the final touches on a plan to replace the lead service lines responsible for contaminating the tap water in thousands of Chicago homes, according to Department of Water Management Commissioner Randy Conner.
Sorry, Chicagoans: Evanston Cuts Off Daily Beach Passes
| Patty Wetli
With Chicago’s beaches closed, Evanston has been a lakefront refuge for many city dwellers, but now even that option is becoming limited as summer nears its end.
Chicago’s 7-Day Average for COVID-19 Cases Rises Above 300: City Data
| Heather Cherone
Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Department of Public Health, said the spread of the virus remains high among city residents between the ages of 18 and 29 as well as among Latino Chicagoans.
Navy Pier Closing After Labor Day Because of Coronavirus Pandemic
| Amanda Vinicky
Unlike the pier’s shutdown for several months in the spring due to government orders driven by the coronavirus pandemic, directors of Navy Pier are this time choosing to close the cultural attraction for economic reasons.
State Extends Deadline to Apply for Rental Assistance
| Kristen Thometz
After last week’s powerful storms knocked out power for more than 750,000 residents, Illinoisans struggling pay their rent due to COVID-19 will now have until Aug. 28 to apply for state assistance.
Judge Delays R. Kelly’s Federal Trial in Chicago Amid COVID-19 Difficulties
| Matt Masterson
“Forcing these witnesses to risk their health, or the health of their families, is not something the government wishes to do,” federal prosecutors wrote last week in a request to delay the October trial.
Wisconsin Set to Be Removed From Chicago’s Quarantine Order: Officials
| Heather Cherone
Visitors to Chicago from Wisconsin will no longer be required to quarantine for two weeks starting Friday, city officials announced Tuesday.
Stay Out of the Water, Steer Clear of Piers, National Weather Service Warns
| Patty Wetli
The National Weather Service is warning people to steer clear of Lake Michigan due to high waves and strong currents. That doesn't just apply to beachgoers and swimmers. Shoreline structures can be dangerous too.
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