Stories by Associated Press
Jury Finds Rittenhouse Not Guilty in Kenosha Shootings
| Associated Press
Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges Friday after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha shootings that became a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice.
US Opens COVID Boosters to All Adults, Urges Them for 50+
| Associated Press
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must agree to expand Pfizer and Moderna boosters to even healthy young adults. Its scientific advisers were set to debate later Friday.
City Officials Detail Proposals for Chicago Casino-Resort, Vow Fast-Paced Process to Pick Winner
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said getting a casino off the ground in Chicago will “usher in a new and exciting era for our city.”
‘Paradise Square’ Does a Fierce and Timely Dance Into a Civil War Era Racial Uprising
| Hedy Weiss
What really blows this show out of the park is its knockout dancing, and the brilliant choreography by Bill T. Jones that in many ways is more potent than any spoken dialogue.
Investigation Uncovered Widespread Sexual Misconduct at Logan Square High School
| Matt Masterson
"The behavior uncovered revealed a stunning betrayal of trust and colossal failure of judgment in character on the part of far too many individuals," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez told media during a press conference Friday morning.
Dems’ Sweeping Social, Climate Bill Passes Divided House
| Associated Press
Wrapped into one bill are far-reaching changes in taxation, health care, energy, climate change, family services, education and housing
Lightfoot’s Pick to Lead COPA Offers ‘Sincere, Heartfelt’ Apology After Report Recommends Suspension for Officer Slain Months Later
| Heather Cherone
“I have profound regret and sadness that the work of our agency has in any way hurt the French family and those who mourn her and I will work steadfastly to ensure that a situation such as this never happens again,” Andrea Kersten said.
Lunar Eclipse Lives Up to Hype, Clear Skies Give Chicagoans an Eyeful
| Patty Wetli
For once, the weather cooperated in Chicago. Astronomers at the Adler Planetarium proclaimed: “What a stellar view!”
November 18, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Live from Kenosha with the latest on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Police officers on the roster of a far-right paramilitary organization. Navigating the pandemic in Washington Park. And a lunar eclipse.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Washington Park
| Marissa Nelson
Washington Park is nestled between Hyde Park, Woodlawn and Englewood. It’s home to the DuSable Museum of African American History and to the former Schultz Baking Company. Now closed, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places and there are plans to turn it into a data center.
Bears Look to Break Four-Game Losing Streak Against the Ravens
| Paul Caine
Signs of offensive improvement as rookie quarterback Justin Fields and the Bears come up just short against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a primetime Monday night match-up. James “Big Cat” Williams gives us his thoughts on the season so far and the upcoming game against the Ravens.
A Near Total Eclipse of This Week’s Full Moon Is Coming. Here’s What You Need to Know
| Patty Wetli
If the skies are clear, Chicagoans will have an excellent chance of seeing the eclipse Friday morning, with the best hours for viewing the event being approximately 1:30-4:30 a.m.
Kenosha Prepares for Rittenhouse Verdict As Third Day of Deliberations Closes
| Acacia Hernandez
Jurors in the trial of Antioch native Kyle Rittenhouse have now completed three days of deliberation and still no verdict. This comes as demonstrators made their voices heard outside the Kenosha County Courthouse again, and as the outspoken judge in the case admonished a member of the news media.
NPR Investigates Ties Between Police and Far-Right Groups
| Blair Paddock
A far-right paramilitary organization has found success in recruiting law enforcement officers in America’s largest cities, according to an investigation from NPR that shows active officers in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago on membership rosters.
Photographer Preserves Native American Heritage Through Images of Regalia
| Marc Vitali
Articles of colorful clothing and ornaments tell the story of the person who wears them. The whole ensemble is called regalia, and it helps preserve the heritage of an entire community. A local photographer with roots in the Potawatomi Nation documents her people and their legacy.
Black, Latino Caucus Leaders Spar Over Ward Map as Deal Remains Out of Reach
| Heather Cherone
The leaders of the Chicago City Council’s Black and Latino caucuses sparred Thursday as a compromise over the boundaries of the ward map that will shape Chicago politics for the next decade remained elusive.
Cook County Juror Pay to Double Next Year Under New Measure
| Matt Masterson
Beginning June 1, 2022, juror pay — which has not increased for decades — will increase from $14.50 per day to $30 per day, while travel stipends will increase from $2.70 per day to $5 per day.
Rittenhouse Jury Deliberates for Third Day Without a Verdict
| Associated Press
The members of the panel will return on Friday morning to resume their work. Unlike on previous days, they had no questions and no requests to view any evidence Thursday in the politically and racially fraught case.
All Aboard: CTA’s Belmont Bypass Ready For Riders
| Patty Wetli
The rail bypass goes into service Friday, carrying CTA Brown Line trains over Red and Purple line tracks and eliminating a 114-year-old transit bottleneck.
No Evidence Rahm Emanuel Covered Up Police Murder of Laquan McDonald: Former Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
The full U.S. Senate is set to consider Rahm Emanuel’s nomination to serve as President Joe Biden’s ambassador — but if the former Chicago mayor is confirmed, it will happen without the support of at least two progressive Democratic senators.
Thanksgiving Dinner To Take Bigger Bite Out of Wallets, National Survey Says
| Patty Wetli
The cost of a Thanksgiving feast for 10 is up 14% from 2020, according to an annual survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
2 Men Charged in Fatal ATM Robbery Later ‘Double Crossed,’ Killed Their Own Accomplices: Prosecutors
| Matt Masterson
“I know this is a complicated fact pattern,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said, “but in looking at the facts as alleged by the state, it’s as if these two defendants tried to copy every armed robbery movie out there, right down to the double cross.”
Chicago Officials Launching New Effort to Keep Teens Out of Jail with $10M
| Heather Cherone
The new effort will be “trauma-informed and services-oriented,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office. Organizations will be invited to submit proposals to run the effort early next year, officials said.
Rittenhouse Trial Arguments Worry Mental Health Advocates
| Associated Press
While defense attorneys characterized the first man Kyle Rittenhouse fatally shot as “irrational and crazy,” to bolster their claims Rittenhouse acted in self-defense, mental health advocates say such depictions add to the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Pfizer, US Ink $5.29B Deal for Possible COVID-19 Treatment
| Associated Press
Pfizer asked the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to authorize emergency use of the experimental pill, which has been shown to significantly cut the rate of hospitalizations and deaths among people with coronavirus infections.
November 17, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A live report from Kenosha as a jury deliberates the fate of Kyle Rittenhouse. Changes for the city’s gang database. Potential relief for some student loan borrowers. And Spotlight Politics.
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