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Stories by Paul Caine

Facebook in Trouble as Zuckerberg Pivots to the Metaverse

The company faces challenges on multiple fronts, but it was a dismal earnings report Wednesday that triggered the sudden collapse in its share price.

Macron: Putin Told Him Russia Won’t Escalate Ukraine Crisis

Macron met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid mounting fears of a Russian invasion. Moscow has massed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, but insists it has no plans to attack.

Jesse Sharkey on His Time in Teachers Union Leadership, CTU’s Future

Jesse Sharkey’s time in leadership has been marked by multiple teacher’s strikes, a contentious relationship with City Hall, and a protracted pandemic. In announcing his departure, Sharkey acknowledged the difficulties of the job, both politically and personally.

Carvana Tower Gets Final Approval From Skokie Board Despite Widespread Objections

The 14-story glass vending machine for cars, to be built across from a nature preserve, met with widespread opposition from residents and conservationists. At Monday’s board meeting, Skokie Village trustees gave the development the green light.

February 8, 2022 - Full Show

Local congress members on the censure of Rep. Adam Kinzinger and more. One-on-one with outgoing CTU president Jesse Sharkey. Has Facebook jumped the shark? And an agave plant reaches for the stars.

What Does A Post-Bears Museum Campus Look Like? New Working Group To Come Up With Vision

Delivering on a promise she made when the owners of the Chicago Bears announced their purchase of the Arlington International Racecourse property, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the members of a working group tasked with reimagining the city’s lakefront museum campus.

Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Company in High-Stepping Form at Auditorium Theatre

Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Company returned to the stage of the Auditorium Theatre for the first time since the pandemic drove it away two years ago for a thunderous performance.

Chicago Man Charged in String of Burglaries at Shops, Stores and High-End Retailer

Tacarre Harper, 27, has been charged with nine separate counts of burglary from incidents stemming between November 2021 and January 2022.

McConnell Rebukes RNC, Calls Jan. 6 ‘Violent Insurrection’

“It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next,” McConnell said Tuesday. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker Says He Will Announce Update on Mask Mandate ‘Very Soon’

“I’m the first person who wants to make sure we’re removing mitigations when we can keep people safe and healthy,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at an unrelated press event Tuesday afternoon. 

White House: File Your Taxes to Get Full Child Tax Credit

White House officials are hosting a virtual event Tuesday to encourage people to send their tax forms to the IRS, including those whose incomes are so low that they might not have traditionally filed.

Chicago Banker Gets 1-Year Sentence in Manafort Loan Scheme

Stephen Calk was sentenced on Monday to a year in prison for his conviction in a scheme to make $16 million in loans to Paul Manafort to gain influence in the Trump administration.

J.B. Pritzker: Order Halting School Mask Mandate ‘Cultivates Chaos’

“Judge Raylene Grischow’s ruling is out of step with the vast majority of legal analysis in Illinois and across the nation,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday at an unrelated press event in Chicago.

February 7, 2022 - Full Show

Confusion at local schools following a recent court ruling on the statewide mask mandate. Plus, a political scion goes on trial, U. of C. is set to build a giant new cancer center, and the NFL faces explosive charges of discrimination.

University of Chicago Medicine Plans $633 Million Cancer Center

University of Chicago Medicine has proposed building a $633 million cancer center in hopes of addressing health inequities on the South Side, while also easing some of the medical center’s capacity constraints.

NFL Facing Explosive Allegations of Racial Discrimination, Corruption

The NFL is facing explosive allegations of racial discrimination and corruption made in a class action lawsuit filed by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores — who was recently fired by the team.

Crain’s Headlines: What Low-Fare Airline Merger Means for Chicago’s Airports

Low-fare airlines Spirit and Frontier announce a multi-billion-dollar merger; the controversy over the Miami Dolphins may have an impact on the race for Chicago's casino; and three multi-million-dollar homes are now off the market for those searching for local luxury homes.

Keeping Health Care Workers Safe Amid Spike in Threats, Violence

The American Medical Association notes as many as 38% of health care workers face violence during their careers and that those in the field were 50% more likely to be harassed, threatened, or hurt during the COVID pandemic.

Jury Picked to Decide Whether Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson Failed to Pay Taxes, Lied to Feds

Eight men and four women were selected Monday to serve on the federal jury that will decide whether 11th Ward Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson lied to federal bank regulators and filed false tax returns.

IRS to End Use of Facial Recognition to Identify Taxpayers

The agency said it would no longer use a third-party service, called ID.me, for facial recognition. Critics of the software said the database could become a target for cyberthreats. 

Mayor Lightfoot Suggests Correlation Between Remote Learning And Rise in Chicago Carjackings

“Having talked to state’s attorneys who were dealing with these cases in juvenile court, and others, a lot of parents went to work during the day thinking their teenagers were logged on for remote learning, only to find something else,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

Justice Department Signals it May Allow Safe Injection Sites

A year after winning a major court battle against the opening of so-called safe injection sites — safe havens for people to use heroin and other narcotics with protections against fatal overdoses — the Justice Department is signaling it might be open to allowing them.

White House Officials Mull Over Life After COVID-19 Pandemic, But There’s Still No Clear Plan

The White House has told CNN that federal officials are “thinking about” what comes next, after the United States transitions out of the current COVID-19 emergency and into a greater state of normalcy – but officials still have not released a plan for that transition.

Study of CBD’s Effectiveness in Preventing COVID-19 Has Researchers Calling for Clinical Trial

A new study has found cannabidiol or CBD can block COVID-19 infection in human cells and mice, but don’t rush out and buy products from your local dispensary. Here’s what you need to know about the study and where things stand with COVID-19 treatments.  

Hearing Delayed on Ex-Cop’s Bid to Toss Murder Conviction

A judge on Monday delayed for three months a hearing on former suburban Chicago police officer Drew Peterson’s request to toss out his murder conviction in the killing of his third wife after his attorney said he needed more time. 

Former State Rep. Luis Arroyo Deserves More Than 4 Years in Prison for ‘Blatant Cash Grab,’ Feds Tell Judge

Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo’s conduct was a “blatant cash grab,” Assistant U.S. Attorney James Durkin told U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger, asking that Arroyo spend between 46 to 57 months behind bars.
 

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