Stories by Patty Wetli
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.
Gardiner Rebuked by Cook County Democratic Party After Probe of Profane, Misogynistic Texts
| Heather Cherone
Ald. Jim Gardiner's actions disgraced all Cook County Democrats, according to a statement from party leaders after a probe.
Chicago Sky Win First WNBA Title With 80-74 Win Over Phoenix
| Associated Press
Courtney Vandersloot added 10 points and 15 assists for the Sky, who won the series 3-1, rallying from a 72-65 deficit with 4:42 left. Chicago scored the next nine points to take a two-point lead on Stefanie Dolson’s layup. She then added another basket to make it 76-72 with 45.8 seconds left.
Rodgers Throws 2 TDs, Runs for 1 as Packers Beat Bears 24-14
| Associated Press
The Packers (5-1) beat the Bears (3-3) for the 20th time in 23 games counting the playoffs and improved to 22-5 with Rodgers as the starter against Chicago. They also prevented Chicago from tying them for the NFC North lead.
Farmers and John Deere Suppliers Worry about Strike’s Impact
| Associated Press
More than 10,000 Deere employees went on strike last week at 14 Deere factories in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Georgia after the United Auto Workers union rejected a contract offer. The longer the strike continues, the greater the impact will be on the communities around the plants.
Bill Clinton Released From Southern California Hospital
| Associated Press
Bill Clinton was released Sunday from the Southern California hospital where he had been treated for an infection. Clinton, 75, was admitted Tuesday to the hospital southeast of Los Angeles with an infection unrelated to COVID-19, officials said.
Embracing Cello with the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
| Erica Gunderson
Back in February, we met four teenagers participating in a program that helps students pursue careers in classical music. Here, one of those students, Kailie Holliday, talks about playing the most huggable string instrument as she plays “The Courante” from Bach’s cello suite.
La Ultima Palabra: ‘Astro’ Joe Guzman
| Erica Gunderson
Chicago at night is a dazzling sight — but the skyline and streetlamps that light up our evenings also make it harder to see the natural wonders of the night sky. Still, Chicago Astronomer founder Joe Guzman, better known as Astro Joe, says there’s plenty to see — you just need to know how to look.
Home Appraisal Discrimination Puts a Dent in Black Wealth
| Erica Gunderson
Research shows Black homeowners are at risk of losing out on the value of their homes, due to discrimination in appraisals. Now, there’s a growing push to pass federal legislation to protect Black homeowners from appraisal discrimination.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, October 16, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Helping Black homeowners confront discrimination affecting their home values. Remembering Chicago historian Timuel Black, who died this week after 102 years of activism. And a young musician on cello.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, October 16, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Reaction to a viral video of students kneeling to a Spanish song at a school dance. Plus, addressing lagging vaccination rates among Latinos. And efforts to get more women involved in conservancy.
Meet the Illinois Latina Conservationist Fighting Fire with Fire
| Erica Gunderson
Ruth Campos works as a burn crew member. She uses controlled burns to restore life to landscapes. In the last year, she has traveled to Minnesota and California to help battle wildfires, and she wants more women – especially women of color to join her.
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