Stories by Associated Press

Former DePaul Coach Joey Meyer, Who Led the Blue Demons to 7 NCAA Tournaments, Dies at 74

Joey Meyer, who played at DePaul and coached the Blue Demons to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 seasons, has died. He was 74.

The Most-Read WTTW News Stories of 2023

Chicago elected a new mayor, Illinois banned so-called assault weapons and the Boss played at Wrigley Field. Here’s what people were reading in 2023.

Week in Review: Looking Back at the Biggest Stories of 2023

Mayor Brandon Johnson assumes office and inherits a migrant crisis. Ex-Ald. Ed Burke convicted on 13 federal corruption counts, with Michael Madigan’s trial looming. We recap 2023 in a special year-end edition of “Week in Review.”

Column: How a Local Cat Survived Harrowing Hours Atop an Electrical Pole Thanks to Some Good Customer Service

A 9-year-old orange tabby named Edgar spent a frosty night alone atop a utility pole in an alley earlier this week. WTTW News reporter Marc Vitali details Edgar’s rescue.

Chicago Police to Deploy Additional Officers Downtown, Throughout City for New Year’s Eve Festivities

“We know it’ll be a busy night,” Commander Jon Hein said Friday. “We ask everyone to please ensure that you have a safe night and if you’re going to celebrate, do that responsibly.”

At Least 2 Hospitalized After Chicago Firefighters Rescue Residents From Uptown Building Blaze

Chicago firefighters rescued multiple people from a fire that broke out on the sixth floor of an Uptown high-ride Friday morning.

White Sox Legend Frank Thomas Wants You to Know He’s Still Very Much Alive, Despite 2023 Notable Deaths Blunder

A Fox News mistake misidentified White Sox legend Frank Thomas as among the notable people who died in 2023. 

Abortion Debate Creates ‘New Era’ for State Supreme Court Races in 2024, With Big Spending Expected

Crucial battles over abortion, gerrymandering, voting rights and other issues will take center stage in next year’s elections for state supreme court seats — 80 of them in 33 states.

Funkytown Brewery Looks to Bring Black Cultural Influences Into Craft Beer Market

Funkytown’s beers can be found at more than 100 locations around the Chicago area. It was their pale ale called Hip Hops and R&Brew that kick-started the trio into the craft beer industry.

Here’s Where Chicagoans Can Recycle Their Christmas Trees in 2024

Live and natural holiday trees can be dropped off in a tree recycling corral at one of 27 designated locations in the city from Jan. 6-20.

Donald Trump is Blocked From the GOP Primary Ballot in Two States. Can He Still Run for President?

First, Colorado’s Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump wasn’t eligible to run for his old job in that state. Then, Maine’s Democratic secretary of state ruled the same for her state. Who’s next?

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Dec. 28, 2023 - Full Show

Pushback to a second waste facility in West Chicago. How educators and alumni are coming together to help migrant students. And what’s behind an unseasonably warm December.

At Albany Park Elementary School, Community Rallies Behind Migrant Students and Their Families

“We’re trying to put ourselves in the place of these families,” Haugan Elementary School principal Heather Yutzy said. “If we were in this situation, what would we need for our kids?”

A Wet, Warm & Snowless December: What’s Behind the Record High Temperatures

It’s winter in Chicago, but where’s the cold weather and snow? December’s temperatures are averaging about nine degrees higher than normal.

Maine Bars Trump From Ballot as US Supreme Court Weighs State Authority to Block Former President

The decision follows a ruling earlier this month by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That decision has been stayed until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether Trump is barred by the Civil War-era provision.

World Population Up 75 Million This Year, Topping 8 Billion by Jan. 1

The growth rate for the United States in the past year was 0.53%, about half the worldwide figure. The U.S. added 1.7 million people and will have a population on New Year's Day of 335.8 million people.

Mayor Johnson Taps New Leaders for OEMC, Department of Housing

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday announced two new appointments, tapping Jose Tirado to serve as OEMC’s new executive director and Lissette Castañeda to serve as commissioner for the Department of Housing.

West Chicago Residents Push Back Against Another Waste Facility That Would Process Trash From Wealthier and Whiter Suburbs

West Chicago is currently home to the only waste transfer facility in DuPage County. Now a second one is looking to open and residents are pushing back. 

Illinois Basketball Star Terrence Shannon Jr. Charged With Rape in Kansas, Suspended From Team

The university confirmed that the Douglas County District Attorney’s office in Kansas issued an arrest warrant for Shannon on Wednesday. He has since turned himself in to police in Lawrence, Kansas, posted bail and is now returning to Illinois.

With Gas Prices the Lowest They’ve Been in Over 2 Years, Here’s What to Expect in 2024

After two years of above-average gas prices, next year is expected to bring relief at the pump for drivers, according to GasBuddy’s annual fuel price outlook report released Thursday.

As Dual Credit Participation Grows in Illinois, Study Shows Gaps Widening

A growing number of students are working to earn as many college credits as possible while they are still in high school. But even as the popularity continues to grow for “dual credit” offerings, a new study shows disparities between racial, economic and geographic groups are also widening.

CTA Once Again Offering Free Bus, Train Rides on New Year’s Eve

CTA has announced that it is partnering with Miller Lite to offer free rides, which will be available across the city on both trains and buses from 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.

Mexican Officials Clear Border Camp as US Pressure Mounts to Limit Migrant Crossings

The United States has given clear signs, including temporarily closing key border rail crossings into Texas, that it wants Mexico to do more to stop migrants hopping freight cars, buses and trucks to the border.

Election Officials See a Range of Threats in 2024, From Hostile Countries to Conspiracy Theorists

Many of the concerns from four years ago persist: the potential for cyberattacks targeting voter registration systems or websites that report unofficial results, and equipment problems or human errors being amplified by those seeking to undermine confidence in the outcome.

Black-Owned Retail Businesses Look to Build on Holiday Season Momentum

There was some good news this year. According to Mastercard Spending Pulse, retail shopping was up about 3% this holiday season compared to last year. 

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Dec. 27, 2023 - Full Show

How small business fared this holiday season. Exploring the great outdoors. And meet the founders behind a Black-owned brewery.
 

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