Stories by Associated Press
Zelenskyy: Russian Offensive in Eastern Ukraine Has Begun
| Associated Press
Russia bombarded the western city of Lviv and numerous other targets across Ukraine on Monday in what appeared to be an intensified bid to grind down the country’s defenses while building up its own forces for a major ground offensive in the east.
Newton Minow: Ariel Investments’ John Rogers Should Run for Chicago Mayor
| Heather Cherone
A Chicago native, John Rogers is a longtime friend of former President Barack Obama.
30 Days Left for City Council to Reach Deal on Chicago Ward Map
| Heather Cherone
To avert the first ward map referendum since 1992, 41 alderpeople must agree on a map no later than May 19, the deadline for the June 28 primary election ballot to be finalized.
Federal Prosecutors Won’t Charge Jason Van Dyke in Murder of Laquan McDonald
| Matt Masterson
The decision from U.S. Attorney John Lausch comes two months after Van Dyke was released from custody after serving about half of his 81-month sentence handed down by a Cook County judge in 2018.
Alex Jones’ Infowars Files for Bankruptcy Protection Amid Sandy Hook Defamation Lawsuits
| Associated Press
The bankruptcy filing Sunday in Texas puts civil litigation on hold while the business reorganizes its finances. The filing came a week before a jury in Texas was set to begin considering how much money Jones, who has already lost the defamation lawsuits, should pay the families of Sandy Hook victims.
16 Shot, 1 Killed Over Easter Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
The lone homicide victim was a 27-year-old man who was found just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning in the 8400 block of South Aberdeen Street.
Rain Dampens the 1st White House Easter Egg Roll Since 2019
| Associated Press
Undaunted by soggy skies, President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, kicked off the first White House Easter Egg Roll since before the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, welcoming some 30,000 kids and adults for the all-day event.
Gun Buybacks Take Weapons Out of Circulation, But Experts Say There’s No Evidence the Programs Reduce Violence
| CNN
Chicago officials annually take in hundreds of guns through buyback programs. But decades of research shows such programs don’t reduce gun violence, in large part because they don’t result in guns being taken from people who aren’t supposed to have them.
Black Women Are Essential Aims to Grow Lifestyle Brand Into a Movement
| Angel Idowu
A pair of friends and business women created 50 kits raising funds to support Black women essential workers in Chicago. Two years later, it has since become a movement that’s expanded beyond the T-shirt it started with.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, April 16, 2022
| WTTW News
Police Superintendent David Brown on ghost guns and police reform. Plus, teaching kids to fight for racial equity in this week’s book club. And remembering Harold Washington on his 100th birthday.
Black Voices Book Club: ‘How to Fight Racism’
| Aida Mogos
Helping young people figure out how to take a stand against racism is the topic of the latest selection in our Black Voices Book Club Series. “How to Fight Racism: A Guide to Standing Up for Racial Justice” aims to give young people information and tools to fight racism and effect change.
Chicago’s Top Cop Says CPD Needs to Build Trust, Engage with Community
| Aida Mogos
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown says his department needs to do a better job of engaging with the community. He joined “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” to discuss everything from ghost guns to police reform in Chicago.
Clashes Erupt Again Near Flashpoint Jerusalem Holy Site
| Associated Press
Israeli police on Sunday entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City to secure the way for Jewish visitors to the flashpoint holy site, fueling clashes that left 17 Palestinians wounded, according to Palestinian medical workers.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, April 16, 2022
| WTTW News
What an end to pandemic border rules could mean for asylum seekers. A new approach to organ donation from Latinos. Previewing the Chicago Latino Film Festival. And mariachi and improv come together.
38th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival Begins April 21
| Aida Mogos
Festival organizers say they try to highlight first time directors, films made by women, and stories about marginalized communities including LGBTQ people, indigenous people, and Black Latinos; expanding on the original mission to create a platform for Latino filmmakers and stories.
What the End of Pandemic Border Restrictions Means for Migrants
| Aida Mogos
Title 42 was issued in March of 2020 as a public health order to expel migrants due to coronavirus concerns. The CDC decided this month that the order is no longer needed.
Hispanic Transplant Program Encourages Latinos to Become Donors
| Aida Mogos
Dr. Juan Caicedo says it’s important to have culturally appropriate programs to increase and encourage organ donation among Latinos.
Chicago Artist Ali Six Creates Mural for Wicker Park
| Erica Gunderson
Chicago spring may be fickle, but the recent explosion of public art has also brought some color and life to the city. One local muralist is hoping his 15-foot-high mural in Wicker Park inspires people to find hope. It’s called “The Butterfly Effect.”
Comedy Troupe Brings Mirth and Mariachi to Improv
| Erica Gunderson
A group of local comedians is bringing a taste of Latin culture to their comedy routine. In what is often a white-dominated space, they hope their acts add some variety and relatability.
Easter Egg-stravaganza: Check Out These Dozen Beauties, ‘Decorated’ By Nature
| Patty Wetli
Decorated eggs are a centuries-old Easter tradition, but nature’s been at it eons longer — no dyes required. Take a look inside the Field Museum’s egg collection.
The Week in Review: Former Ald. Solis Pleads; Willie Wilson Runs
| Evan Garcia
The race for mayor grows by another candidate. Springfield lawmakers tackle budget and crime. Some city council members barely show up for work. And hundreds of police officers forgo vaccine mandate.
Police Brass Interfered in Probe of Officer’s Suicide: Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
Two high-ranking police officials interfered with the investigation of the shooting death of a Chicago Police sergeant, according to a report released Friday by the city’s interim watchdog.
A Stunning Night as the CSO Soars Under Baton of Brilliant Conductor and Violin Soloist
| Hedy Weiss
If you needed to be reminded of the genius of two groundbreaking early 20th century composers or hoped for an introduction to a fascinating contemporary composer, Thursday’s concert of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra unquestionably lived up to expectations.
No Bail For Man Allegedly Heard Saying ‘I’m Warning You’ Before Fatal Chicago Shooting
| Matt Masterson
Pretice Phillips, 46, was held without bail following a hearing Friday after he was charged with one count of first-degree murder in the March shooting death of 32-year-old Kevin Change.
City Workers Disciplined for Slurs, Harassment, Assault: Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
The wrongdoing was detailed in the first — and likely only — quarterly report issued by interim Inspector General William Marbeck, who is set to be replaced with a permanent watchdog later this month.
FDA Authorizes 1st Breath Test for COVID-19 Infection
| Associated Press
The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, the FDA said, and can be used in doctor’s offices, hospitals and mobile testing sites.
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