Stories by Associated Press
Google Steps Into Fitness, Buys Fitbit for $2.1 Billion
| Associated Press
Google, the company that helped make it fun to just sit around surfing the web, is jumping into the fitness-tracker business with both feet.
The Week in Review: 11-Day Teachers Strike Comes to an End
| Nick Blumberg
Chicago teachers return to school. A state lawmaker resigns after a federal bribery charge. Trump knocks Chicago during his first visit to the city as president. And the David Ross era begins for the Cubs.
Strike-Ending Deal Will Shape Chicago Schools for Years
| Associated Press
Chicago teachers and more than 300,000 students affected by an 11-day strike returned to classrooms Friday amid a tentative agreement that is expected to shape education in the city for the next five years.
AP-NORC Poll: More Support Than Oppose Impeachment Probe
| Associated Press
More Americans approve of the impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump than disapprove of it, though only about a third say the inquiry should be a top priority for Congress, according to a new poll.
Rubber Pieces Found in Cookie Dough Prompt Nestle Recall
| Kristen Thometz
More than two dozen Nestle cookie dough products are being recalled due to the potential presence of rubber pieces, according to an announcement by the Food and Drug Administration.
CPD Releases New Crime Data as Trump Again Attacks Eddie Johnson
| Matt Masterson
On the same day the Chicago Police Department unveiled its latest crime data showing downward trends in 2019, President Donald Trump on Twitter blasted the city’s “crime wave” under Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
Police Seek Gunman in Halloween Shooting That Critically Injured Child
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson condemned the Thursday shooting that critically injured a 7-year-old trick-or-treater. “I’m disgusted, but committed to doing everything we can to find the cowards who engaged in a gun battle in the early evening hours while children were trick-or-treating,” he said.
Cook County Health CEO Calls on Other Hospitals to Increase Charity Care
| Kristen Thometz
The mission of Cook County Health is to provide care to all county residents regardless of their ability to pay, but years of increased demand for charity care is taking its toll on the health system, according to CEO Dr. John Jay Shannon.
Hedy Weiss Reviews ‘A Doll’s House,’ ‘I’m Lenny Bruce’ and More
| Marc Vitali
There are many treats on Chicago stages these days. Theater critic Hedy Weiss joins us with her latest roundup.
Labrador Sworn in at State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago
| Associated Press
It was a real dog of a ceremony this week during a swearing-in at the state’s attorney’s office in Chicago.
Report: Trump Surveyed Donors on Freeing Blagojevich
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump has again broached the idea of freeing former Illinois governor and one-time “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Rod Blagojevich from a Colorado federal prison, where he is in his seventh year of a 14-year prison term for political corruption.
In the Zooniverse, Everyone Can Be a Scientist
| Paul Caine
In a world in which scientific literacy is often lacking, the online platform Zooniverse.org is doing what it can to encourage “people-powered research.”
Mickey Alice Kwapis Wants You to Love Taxidermy As Much As She Does
| Jay Shefsky
Mickey Alice Kwapis knows that she doesn’t fit most people’s idea of what a taxidermist looks like. And she is trying to change that.
Bears Face Eagles in Rematch of Playoff Loss
| Crystin Immel
The Chicago Bears (3-4) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) on Sunday in a rematch of last season’s playoff game. Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams gives us a preview.
Democrats Push Impeachment Rules Package Through House
| Associated Press
Democrats swept a rules package for their impeachment probe of President Donald Trump through a divided House on Thursday. The chamber’s vote highlighted the partisan breach the issue has only deepened.
Crain’s Headlines: Lobbying Activities of Exelon, ComEd Under Investigation
| WTTW News
The Securities and Exchange Commission has opened an investigation of Exelon and ComEd’s lobbying activities. The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago also is probing the lobbying practices of the two companies in Illinois.
EPA Adds Abandoned Chicago Dumping Ground to Superfund Cleanup List
| Alex Ruppenthal
A 67-acre Southeast Side site served as a dumping ground for Republic Steel for nearly 30 years. Inspection records show the property is contaminated with lead, cyanide, mercury and other potentially harmful pollutants.
3rd Illinois Resident Dies from Vaping-Related Illness
| Kristen Thometz
Nearly 40 people across the country have died from vaping-related illnesses, including three in Illinois, according to state and federal health officials.
Apples Shipped to Illinois Recalled Over Listeria Concerns
| Kristen Thometz
More than 2,000 cases of apples shipped to eight states, including Illinois, have been recalled because of possible listeria contamination. Affected varieties include Honeycrisp, Fuji and Red Delicious.
Chicago Teachers Strike Comes to an End, Classes Resume Friday
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools students will return to class Friday following the district’s longest teachers strike in more than 30 years. What finally brought an end to the 11-day standoff.
Stable Costs But More Uninsured as ‘Obamacare’ Sign-ups Open
| Associated Press
As sign-up season starts on Friday, the Affordable Care Act has shown remarkable resiliency, but it has also fallen short of expectations. Even many Democrats want to move on.
CTU Reaches Tentative Deal But Won’t Return to Work Thursday
| Matt Masterson
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union won’t head back to school Thursday morning and their strike will last at least one more day after the union’s House of Delegates accepted a tentative agreement with the city, but refused to return to work.
Spotlight Politics: Assessing Political Fallout of Teachers Strike
| Paris Schutz
Who will be the political winners and losers of the Chicago teachers strike? Our politics team digs into that story and more in our weekly roundtable.
Sister Helen Prejean on ‘Dead Man Walking’ at Lyric Opera
| Marc Vitali
It was a moving memoir that became an Oscar-winning film before premiering as an opera in 2000. After more than 60 productions around the world, “Dead Man Walking” is now headed to Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time.
Boeing CEO Faces Another Grilling on Capitol Hill Over Max
| Associated Press
Lawmakers blasted Boeing and peppered its CEO on Wednesday with questions about the design and marketing of the 737 Max, the plane involved in two crashes that killed 346 people.
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