Stories by Hedy Weiss
The Beatles Songbook Transformed Into Ingenious Score For Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’
| Hedy Weiss
The show is not some crazy remake of the musical “Hair,” but rather a raucous, playful and exceedingly clever reimagined take on Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.”
Fire Health Department Official, Punish 2 Other City Employees After Smokestack Implosion: Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
The final report from former Inspector General Joseph Ferguson did not detail why he concluded that the three employees should be disciplined, or whether city leaders would follow his recommendations.
Police Shooting Looms Over Emanuel in Confirmation Battle
| Associated Press
Several liberal House lawmakers and activists complain that Rahm Emanuel's handling of the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times as he ran away from police, should have disqualified him for consideration for a coveted role.
Englewood Artist Documents Growing Up on the South Side
| Angel Idowu
In his first solo show, “Mookie on the Southside,” artist Pugs Atomz illustrates what it’s like growing up on the South Side through paintings and sculptures.
October 19, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The latest on Chicago police officers getting vaccinated. One-on-one with U.S. Attorney John Lausch. Illinois lawmakers head back to Springfield. And documenting the South Side’s history.
Man Yelled ‘You Will Die’ as He Shot Chicago Police Officer on Monday: Prosecutors
| Matt Masterson
Jovan McPherson was held without bail Tuesday following his arrest on felony charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery of a peace officer, unlawful use of weapon, armed kidnapping and aggravated unlawful restraint stemming from a Monday shooting.
US Plans to Reinstate ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Next Month
| Associated Press
The Biden administration said it plans to reinstate a Trump-era border policy next month to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court, complying with a judge’s order.
Florida, Hawaii, Washington, D.C. Removed from Chicago’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory
| Heather Cherone
The advisory now covers 45 states as well as Guam and the Virgin Islands, officials said.
Indicted Former City Club President Fined $75K by Ethics Board for Violating Lobbying Rules
| Heather Cherone
Jay Doherty has pleaded not guilty to bribery conspiracy charges that accused him of being part of a scheme to reward those loyal to former House Speaker Michael Madigan with money and jobs.
Chicago Park District Issues Vaccine Mandate to Employees: No Jab? No Pay
| Patty Wetli
Staff who have haven’t received accommodations and still remain unvaccinated as of March 1, 2022, will be placed on a non-disciplinary no-pay status until they comply with the mandate.
Chicago Sky Owner Pays $5,000 Ethics Fine for Lobbying Lightfoot Without Registering
| Heather Cherone
Sky owner Michael Alter asked for Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s help convincing state lawmakers to grant the Sky a gambling license.
Welcome to SkyTown. City Celebrating WNBA Champs With Parade, Rally on Tuesday
| Patty Wetli
A downtown parade and rally are planned for Tuesday to celebrate Chicago’s newest championship sports team: the Chicago Sky.
‘Our Fair Share’ Advocates for Distributing Annual Funds to Americans
| Blair Paddock
Discussion and debate over a recently released book that advocates for a “citizen dividend” that would give cash to Americans.
After Botched Police Raid, City’s Response ‘Revictimized’ Anjanette Young: Former Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
The city’s response to the botched police raid in February 2019 that left Anjanette Young handcuffed while naked and pleading for help left the social worker “revictimized,” the city’s former watchdog told WTTW News’ Chicago Tonight.
Crain’s Headlines: Warehouses Drive Up Chicago Sales as Dealmaking Slows
| WTTW News
Commercial real estate sales see a split in Chicago as another Mag Mile building goes up for sale. Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Danny Ecker has details on that story and more.
Chicago Police Officer Wounded in Near North Side Shooting
| Matt Masterson
The shooting occurred in the 1000 block of West North Avenue at around 3:30 p.m. Monday. The wounded officer was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
UChicago Takes Aim at Chicago’s Persistent Cycle of Violence
| Paul Caine
Amid a surge in violence, the University of Chicago aims to help make the city a model for how to rebuild traumatized communities.
Colin Powell Dies, Trailblazing General Stained by Iraq
| Associated Press
Colin Powell, the trailblazing soldier and diplomat whose sterling reputation of service to Republican and Democratic presidents was stained by his faulty claims to justify the 2003 U.S. war in Iraq, died Monday of COVID-19 complications. He was 84.
Biden Team Asks Supreme Court to Pause Texas Abortion Law
| Associated Press
The Biden administration is asking the Supreme Court to block the Texas law banning most abortions, while the fight over the measure’s constitutionality plays out in the courts.
Contract Talks Resume Between Deere and Its Striking Workers
| Associated Press
Both the Moline, Illinois-based company and the United Auto Workers union confirmed that talks had resumed.
Just 54% of Chicago Police Officers Tell City Officials They Are Vaccinated Against COVID-19
| Heather Cherone
More than 35.6% of the Chicago Police department — 4,543 employees — are in jeopardy of being disciplined and eventually fired for failing to disclose their vaccination status to the city.
EPA Unveils Strategy to Regulate Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
| Associated Press
Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said his agency is taking a series of actions to limit pollution from a cluster of long-lasting chemicals known as PFAS that are increasingly turning up in public drinking water systems, private wells and even food.
October 18, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A showdown between police officers and the mayor over vaccine mandates. The city’s now-former inspector general. Remembering the history-making Colin Powell. And how the Sky reached the top.
Former Chicago College Student Convicted of Terrorism Charge
| Associated Press
Thomas Osadzinski, 22, designed a computer code to help the Islamic State bypass programs designed to block the group's propaganda, prosecutors said.
City — Not ComEd — Responsible for Outages at Roseland Pumping Station: Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
Despite the watchdog's findings, Chicago officials insisted that ComEd was responsible for the outages.
4 Killed, 18 Others Wounded Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
Data published Monday morning by the CPD shows there were 21 separate shooting incidents throughout the city during that time, and 22 total people were struck.
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