Stories by WTTW News
City’s Top Cop on Crime and Policing in Chicago
| WTTW News
Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson tells us about a big new cash gift to fight crime, discusses police oversight and more.
Weird, Wonderful Wildlife at Reptile Fest
| Marc Vitali
We meet some rare and remarkable critters that are part of this weekend’s annual Reptile Fest.
Federal Deficit to Top $1 Trillion in 2020, CBO Says
| Nick Blumberg
Congress makes another attempt at passing a balanced budget amendment as a new report shows the federal deficit skyrocketing.
50 Years Since the Fair Housing Act, Segregation Persists
| Brandis Friedman
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 promised equal access to the housing market for African-Americans. But 50 years later, some say the landmark legislation didn’t go far enough.
Ask Geoffrey: Did MLB Stop Cubs-White Sox City Series?
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer hits a triple with three questions about Wrigley Field.
Brookfield Zoo Euthanizes Beloved Gorilla Ramar
| Alex Ruppenthal
The 50-year-old gorilla was the zoo’s oldest animal. “Knowing it’s the right decision doesn’t make it hurt any less,” said Amy Roberts, curator of mammals for the Chicago Zoological Society.
Chicago Aviation Officers Sue City, Claim Job Histories Were ‘Erased’
Class action suit comes a year after incident on board United flight
| Matt Masterson
Nearly 300 Chicago aviation officers are suing to reclaim their status as law enforcement officers, a title they lost following a highly publicized incident on board a United plane last year.
Study: Night Owls Have Risk of Dying Sooner than Early Risers
| Kristen Thometz
The adage, “early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,” takes on new meaning thanks to research by scientists in Chicago and England.
African Penguin Chick Hatched at Lincoln Park Zoo
| Alex Ruppenthal
On Feb. 10, Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed a new baby bird, the first African penguin chick hatched and reared at the zoo's new penguin habitat.
10 Things to Do this Weekend: April 12-15
| Kristen Thometz
Scaly creatures, vintage vinyls and cheesy bites usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Decades After Deadline, Equal Rights Amendment Regains Steam
| Amanda Vinicky
Supporters have tried to resurrect the ERA for years, but the movement gained steam Wednesday, passing the Illinois Senate by a vote of 42 to 12 – more than 35 years past its deadline.
Evangelical Church Leader Bill Hybels Steps Down
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
What’s behind the resignation of Willow Creek mega-church leader Bill Hybels? A discussion with Chicago Tribune reporter Manya Brachear Pashman.
Christine Lahti Shares ‘True Stories’ From Hollywood
| Erica Gunderson
The award-winning actor and director talks about her new book, a collection of personal essays that explore her journey as a feminist.
Illinois Politicians Grill Zuckerberg During Facebook Hearings
| Evan Garcia
Two Illinois politicians grabbed national headlines as they grilled Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg during his testimonies before Senate and House committees this week.
Why More Illinois Towns Could Follow Harvey’s Fate
| Paris Schutz
The state is withholding tax money from south suburban Harvey because it has fallen behind on its pension payments. Will others follow?
George Freeman Tells Us How to Lead a Life in Jazz
| Marc Vitali
At age 91, the jazz guitarist is a living legend from Chicago’s first family of music. We pay him a visit.
Chicago Bird Sanctuary is Best Place in State to See Spring Migration
| Jay Shefsky
Here’s something that might surprise you: The best place in the entire state of Illinois to see birds during their spring migration is in the city of Chicago.
Chicago Tribune Staffers Move to Unionize
| Kristen Thometz
“The newsroom is in a position of jeopardy, and we’re standing up to make sure we’re paid fairly and to make sure we have a voice in how this place operates,” said Charlie Johnson, a Chicago Tribune home page editor and member of the union organizing committee.
Bat Houses in Cook County Missing Just One Thing: Bats
| Alex Ruppenthal
Three years after they began installing bat houses along waterways in Cook County, conservationists are hoping the bats will start moving in this year.
Aviation Officer Fired After United Dragging Incident Suing City, Airline
| Matt Masterson
The former security officer claims he was improperly trained and later defamed by the head of the Chicago Department of Aviation.
Top Cop Eddie Johnson Vows Changes to Chicago Gang Database
| Paris Schutz
The controversial database is coming under legal scrutiny as many say they have been wrongly added to the list and targeted.
FBI Raids of Trump’s Personal Attorney Cohen Raise Questions
| Alexandra Silets
Search warrants for Monday’s raid were reportedly obtained to collect evidence, in part, for Michael Cohen’s $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. What it all might mean.
Chicago Hospitals Strive to Increase Life Expectancy on West Side
| Evan Garcia
On Chicago’s West Side, the average life expectancy is just 69 years. What one coalition of health care institutions and professionals is doing to change that.
Study: US Clinicians Project Better Health Outcomes for White Patients
| Kristen Thometz
A hypothetical male patient diagnosed with hypertension served as the starting point for a University of Chicago study on racial bias in health care in the U.S. and France.
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