Stories by Hedy Weiss
Visceral Dance and Chicago Philharmonic Revive Haunting ‘Dream’
| Hedy Weiss
Nick Pupillo’s haunting, hourlong narrative work, performed in collaboration with the Chicago Philharmonic, highlights the impressive dramatic skills of the Visceral dancers.
Shedd Aquarium Welcomes 6 Wood Ducklings
| Alex Ruppenthal
New residents of the aquarium’s “At Home on the Great Lakes” exhibit are spending their first days bonding with their mother.
Former Nepalese Child Laborer Seeks to Empower Women, Children
| Kristen Thometz
Meet Nasreen Sheikh, a former child laborer who is using her past to improve the lives of women and children around the world.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: A New Level of Newspaper Rivalry?
| WTTW News
Paris Schutz and guests discuss the newspaper rivalry between the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, and more.
The Week in Review: Mayor Emanuel Faces Increasingly Crowded Field
| WTTW News
A caravan of candidates vow to take on Mayor Rahm Emanuel. A push to regulate gun shops fails. Assessing the Bears first round draft pick. And what does the future hold for Chicago’s newspapers?
Joffrey Ballet Celebrates a Wild and Crazy Swedish-Style ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’
| Hedy Weiss
You will never experience anything quite like it. Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is now receiving its North American premiere by the Joffrey Ballet, and it is a monumental achievement on every level.
Motown Mastermind Lamont Dozier Makes Music with Chicago Children’s Theatre
| Marc Vitali
He wrote a multitude of Motown classics, and now he’s working with Chicago Children’s Theatre. Legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier and his son talk about their new musical “Last Stop on Market Street.”
Prominent UIC Child Psychiatrist Accused of Putting Children at Risk
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
A star researcher is accused of violating research rules and putting children at risk, while UIC is accused of being compliant. We speak with Jodi Cohen, the ProPublica Illinois reporter who broke the story.
Newly Rediscovered Historic House in Wilmette Faces Uncertain Future
| Eddie Arruza
An historic house from the 1933 Century of Progress is among the buildings on Landmarks Illinois 2018 most endangered list. We revisit our tour of the long-forgotten house.
Rauner Dismisses Would-Be Opponent as ‘Pawn’
| Amanda Vinicky
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner weighs in for the first time on a new entrant to the governor’s race: state Sen. Sam McCann.
Chicago’s Last Tannery Specializes in Horse Leather, NFL Footballs
| Evan Garcia
Horween Leather has some high-profile clients. And if you’re a sports fan, chances are you’ve seen their work at play.
Chicago Launches CityKey, a New Municipal ID Program
| Alexandra Silets
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia tells us about the new ID card that pulls triple duty as a library and Ventra card. But it’s not without controversy.
WWCI Names Sandra Cordova Micek New President and CEO
| Matt Masterson
Sandra Cordova Micek will take over as president and CEO of WWCI, the parent company of WTTW and WFMT, beginning May 1 following the retirement last year of Dan Schmidt.
Former Lake Bluff Students Sue School District Over Sex Abuse Allegations
| Matt Masterson
Five former students filed civil suits this week against Lake Bluff School District 65, claiming it knowingly employed a sexually abusive teacher in the 1970s and ‘80s.
First Loves and Guilty Pleasures: Creating ‘The Mixtape of My Life’
| Nick Blumberg
The soundtrack to first loves, bad fights and family memories: Robert Elder’s new “music memoir” helps you create the mixtape of your life.
Porchlight Unlocks the Blazing Heart and Soul In Musical ‘Memphis’
| Hedy Weiss
A transformative evening in the theater, Porchlight Music Theatre’s production features galvanic direction, volcanic dancing, a powerhouse onstage band and a large, fiercely talented cast.
Gun-Rights Advocates Beat Back Effort to Regulate Illinois Gun Dealers
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the Gun Dealer Licensing Act in March. Wednesday was key to determining whether that veto would stick.
Melania Trump and the Role of First Lady
| Paul Caine
First lady Melania Trump hosts her first state dinner. A look at the historical role of first lady and how Trump is approaching the job.
Countering Racism, Racial Profiling: Is Racial Bias Training Enough?
| Alexandra Silets
Starbucks’ CEO apologizes after the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia store and pledges a nationwide racial bias training. Is it enough?
Taking Flight with 30 Years of the Illinois Butterfly Network
| Marc Vitali
We peek behind the scenes at an exotic butterfly sanctuary in Chicago, and learn how volunteers help scientists track butterfly populations.
Radio Host Delilah Returns to Chicago Airwaves
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
After a recent break from radio, the self-described “Queen of Sappy Love Songs” is back. Delilah joins us in discussion.
CPS Promises Change to ‘Unacceptable’ School Cleanliness Levels
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools officials say they’re focused on getting their school buildings cleaned after a recent round of inspections revealed “troubling and concerning” issues.
CPS Hopes to Repair Community Trust After Special Education Issues
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson is asking for community support as the district attempts to fix “systemic problems” with its special education programming.
At Nearly 7 Feet, Corpse Flower Spike Sets Botanic Garden Record
| Alex Ruppenthal
Remember Spike the corpse flower? The plant made famous in 2015 for being the first of its kind to (nearly) bloom in Chicago is on the comeback trail – and climbing to new heights.
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