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State Bill on Dense Breast Notifications Advances
| Kristen Thometz
A bill that would require mammogram providers to notify women whose test results show they have dense breast tissue, a risk factor for breast cancer, unanimously passed the Illinois House and Senate.
Polish President to Visit Chicago on Friday
| Kristen Thometz
Polish President Andrzej Duda is scheduled to have meetings with Gov. Bruce Rauner and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel during his two-day visit to Illinois.
Richard Gray, Chicago Art Dealer, WTTW Trustee, Dies at 89
| WTTW News
Richard Gray, a longtime member of the WTTW and WFMT board, died Wednesday morning at his home in Chicago, surrounded by family. He was 89 years old.
Using Chicago’s Data for Good: Chi Hack Night Celebrates 300 Events
| Evan Garcia
A weekly tech event at the Merchandise Mart celebrated a milestone last week. We take a look at the standout projects and people from its six-year history.
3 Aldermen Go Against Mayor to Push for New Riverfront Park
| Paul Caine
A trio of aldermen push for the city to develop a riverfront park along the North Branch of the Chicago River – but the mayor has other plans.
State Board Approves Special Education Monitor, Reforms for CPS
| Brandis Friedman
What the state says is needed to correct violations in Chicago Public Schools’ special education program.
Chicago Theater Recommendations from Hedy Weiss
| Marc Vitali
Theater critic Hedy Weiss gives us her take on shows from American Blues Theater, Shattered Globe, Porchlight, the Paramount Theatre and more.
Studs Terkel Archive Officially Launches
| Alexandra Silets
For 45 year, Studs Terkel took WFMT radio listeners along for an amazing and crazy ride. Now, thousands of hours of his radio show are being digitized and posted online for free.
Why Are Some Schools Left Out of the US News Rankings?
| Matt Masterson
Despite regularly placing on “best schools” lists, New Trier High School did not earn a nod last week from U.S. News & World Report. How those rankings are determined – and why some high-performing schools get left out.
Ask Geoffrey: The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
| Erica Gunderson
A viewer spots a Blue Island building with an image of three chain links on its facade. Geoffrey Baer has the scoop on the odd fellows behind that insignia in this week’s Ask Geoffrey.
Brookfield Zoo Rhino Has Life-Saving Surgery, 2nd CT Scan
| Alex Ruppenthal
Following a historic diagnostic procedure last month, Layla, a 2,300-pound eastern black rhinoceros, underwent life-saving surgery last week to relieve an infection.
Study: Researchers Devise Approach to Stop Cancer from Spreading
| Kristen Thometz
A newly identified compound that acts like a “dirty time bomb” against metastasizing cells “could potentially result in a better outcome” for some patients, said Dr. Sui Huang of Northwestern University.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: May 17-20
| Kristen Thometz
Wine, chocolate-covered treats, food trucks, nerdy comedians and cultural performances usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Ivan Albright, ‘Master of the Macabre,’ in the ‘Flesh’ at Art Institute
| Marc Vitali
By all accounts, Ivan Albright was a lighthearted fellow – but in the mid-20th century, the Chicago artist painted some very dark pictures.
Illinois Invites Public Health Employees to Bring Their Infants to Work
| Amanda Vinicky
The Illinois Department of Public Health launched a new pilot this week. How the Infant at Work program aims to make life a little easier for working parents.
Northwestern’s Tissue Bank Breaking Ground on Digestive Diseases
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
There’s a new tool in the fight against gastrointestinal diseases – and it’s housed at Northwestern University.
The Economic Costs of Segregation – And Recommendations to Address It
| Brandis Friedman
A new report from the Metropolitan Planning Council makes more than two dozen recommendations to reduce the economic costs of segregation.
As Obama Presidential Center Edges Closer to Final Design, New Lawsuit Filed
| Paul Caine
A group called Protect Our Parks says developers of the Obama Presidential Center have pulled a “bait and switch.” Could they slow the project down?
Are Online Comment Sections Still Valuable?
| Nick Blumberg
The Chicago Tribune is the latest media outlet to suspend online comments. Is there a way to welcome feedback while eliminating vitriol?
Field Museum Researcher Identifies New Shrew Species in Philippines
| Alex Ruppenthal
A mole-like mammal known as the Palawan moss shrew was recently discovered in the Philippines by a team of researchers – including one from Chicago.
State Agency Finds Trace Amounts of Radioactive Materials in Pendants
| Kristen Thometz
The negative ion technology featured in some pendants doesn’t pose an immediate health concern, but continuous use over time may result in a slightly elevated skin exposure to radiation, says the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Spring Gardening Tips: Thrill, Fill and Spill
| Alexandra Silets
Whether you’ve got a generous backyard garden or a container collection on your apartment patio, it’s time to put your green thumb to work. We get spring planting tips from the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Eliza Fournier.
Shedd’s New Penguin Chick Hatches Just In Time For Mother’s Day
| Alex Ruppenthal
A new Magellanic penguin chick hatched Saturday at Shedd Aquarium, just hours before Mother's Day.
CPS Hopes to ‘Right the Wrongs,’ Will Accept Special Education Monitor
| Matt Masterson
State education officials have recommended additional oversight of special education policies at Chicago Public Schools after finding the district violated federal law.
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