Stories by Matt Masterson
Van Dyke Case: Judge Won’t Rule on Bond Violation Until Next Week
| Matt Masterson
A Cook County judge will hear further arguments next week after prosecutors accused the suspended Chicago police officer of violating the terms of his bond.
Will Protesters Defy Police and Shut Down the Kennedy Expressway?
| Amanda Vinicky
Police say there’ll be no tolerance for traffic disruptions this Labor Day, despite a planned protest to shut down portions of the Kennedy Expressway on Monday.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Impact of Politicians’ Candid Remarks
| Evan Garcia
Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the impact of politicians’ remarks.
The Week in Review: Officer Jason Van Dyke Speaks Out
| Evan Garcia
Prosecutors seek to hold Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in contempt of court. What impact will the highly anticipated case have on Mayor Emanuel’s re-election campaign? And is Cubs manager Joe Maddon on thin ice?
Employee Accuses Pritzker Group of Union-Busting
| Amanda Vinicky
A docent for Seadog Cruises is pushing to unionize, but he says Seadog’s parent company, Entertainment Cruises, is trying to quash the effort.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Draft Horses Love to Work’
| WTTW News
Readers respond enthusiastically to our story about a push to ban horse-drawn carriages in Chicago.
Chicago Band Ohmme a ‘Force to be Reckoned With’
| Marc Vitali
Soaring harmonies and grinding guitars combine on a new record by a dynamic Chicago duo. We visit the basement headquarters of Ohmme.
Amara Enyia Takes Aim at Emanuel in Second Bid for Chicago Mayor
| Nick Blumberg
The field of candidates running to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel grew again this week when activist, organizer and policy consultant Amara Enyia officially announced her candidacy.
Study: 1 in 12 Kids Taking Multiple Meds at Risk of Harmful Interactions
| Kristen Thometz
Researchers say adverse drug events are a leading cause of injury and death among children and adolescents, yet there has been a lack of information about how this population uses prescription medicine.
Climate Scientists Create Plan for Preserving Indiana Dunes
| Alex Ruppenthal
About 2 million people visit the Indiana Dunes each year for its hills of sand and sprawling beaches. But the beloved site on the southern shore of Lake Michigan is changing – and not in a good way.
Prosecutors Want Bail Revoked After Officer Van Dyke Speaks Out
| Matt Masterson
After he gave interviews this week with local media, prosecutors say Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke should be held in contempt of court because speaking about the case directly violates a judge’s order to remain silent.
Van Dyke Case: ‘The More You Dig Into This, The Less Open-And-Shut It Is’
Examining the high-profile trial through the eyes of a defense attorney
| Matt Masterson
Steven Greenberg knows his way around a courtroom. And he knows how to prepare for a high-profile murder trial. The longtime defense attorney weighs in on the impending trial of Jason Van Dyke.
How Illinois is Spending its VW Settlement Windfall
| Amanda Vinicky
The state is set to receive more than $100 million in a settlement from Volkswagen after the automaker admitted to cheating on emission tests.
New CTU Leader Jesse Sharkey Talks CPS Issues, Teacher Contract
| Brandis Friedman
As he takes the helm of the Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey discusses school cleanliness and the potential impact of Janus v. AFSCME on union membership.
Detainees Pair Up with Shelter Dogs for New Program at Cook County Jail
| Alex Ruppenthal
Cook County Jail detainees will train dogs from the city shelter as part of a new program aimed at preparing for adoption larger dogs that often struggle to find permanent homes.
12 Things to Do This Labor Day Weekend: Aug. 30-Sept. 3
| Kristen Thometz
Jazz, comedy, DJs, ethnic dishes and lowriders usher in the long holiday weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.
Behind the Scenes at Vienna Beef on its 125th Birthday
| Jay Shefsky
The company started by two Viennese immigrants in 1893 makes more than 100 million sausages each year at its Chicago plant. We take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the sausage is made.
Black Button Eyes Brings John Collier’s Twisted Stories To Life
| Hedy Weiss
One thing you realize from the very start of “Nightmares and Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier” is that its narrator – a dissipated, devilishly twisted writer – is not going to sugarcoat things.
Pot as a Painkiller: New Law Aims to Curb Opioid-Related Deaths
| Amanda Vinicky
A law signed Tuesday by Gov. Bruce Rauner opens access to cannabis to a new raft of patients—anyone who would otherwise be prescribed an opioid.
What’s at the Root of Chicago’s Violence? A State Lawmaker, Pastor Weigh In
| Evan Garcia
State Rep. La Shawn Ford and the Rev. Anthony Williams offer their answers to Chicago’s epidemic of violence.
Chicago Jazz Festival Expands to Neighborhoods for 40th Anniversary
| Marc Vitali
The Chicago Jazz Fest is expanding its scope and reach. We discuss what’s new – and what to expect this weekend – with Mark Kelly, commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Meet Some Small But Mighty Miniature Therapy Horses
| Nick Blumberg
Their effectiveness can’t be judged by their size: We visit the Barrington nonprofit Mane in Heaven to discover the therapeutic mission of these miniature horses.
UIC to Study Teen Depression Prevention Programs
| Kristen Thometz
Researchers will study an online intervention program and in-person group therapy program designed for teens to see which is better at helping them cope with tough situations and feel more hopeful.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Chicago Police Board Votes to Fire Officer Who Tested Positive for Marijuana
City Council Votes 30-18 to Approve Final Part of 2026 Budget. Will Mayor Veto It?
City Council Votes 29-19 to Approve Rival Spending Plan, Rebuking Mayor Johnson
Feds Reject CTA’s Revised Safety Plan, Threaten to Withhold Millions in Transit Funding
Push for Chicago Teen Curfew to Control Large Gatherings Faces Uncertain Future
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter