Stories by Associated Press
Biden Promises More Strikes on Afghanistan Extremist Group
| Associated Press
President Joe Biden vowed Saturday to keep up airstrikes against the Islamic extremist group whose suicide bombing at the Kabul airport killed scores of Afghans and 13 American service members. Another terror attack, he said, is “highly likely” this weekend as the U.S. winds down its evacuation.
Scenes From Week 2 of the R. Kelly Sex-Trafficking Trial
| Associated Press
The second week of the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial proved to be an exercise by prosecutors to paint the R&B star as a man-child control freak and a compulsive sex offender who exploited vulnerable victims way less than half his age while ordering them to call him “Daddy.”
Explainer: What Happens When an ICU Reaches Capacity?
| Associated Press
The latest surge in coronavirus cases is overwhelming many intensive care units, causing hospitals and states to run out of ICU beds in some locations. A maxed-out ICU can become a staffing and logistical nightmare.
American Forces Keep Up Airlift Under High Threat Warnings
| Associated Press
American forces working under heightened security and threats of another attack pressed ahead in the closing days of the U.S.-led evacuation from Afghanistan after a devastating suicide bombing.
The Week in Review: Vaccine Mandates Widen
| Nick Blumberg
A statewide indoor mask mandate. A city worker vaccine mandate and police union pushback. Two Republican congressmen in jeopardy as remapping begins. And the country reels from an Afghanistan terror attack.
Eviction Ban’s End Will Allow Pandemic Lockouts to Resume
| Associated Press
Tenant advocates and court officials were gearing up Friday for what some fear will be a wave of evictions and others predict will be just a growing trickle after a U.S. Supreme Court action allowing lockouts to resume.
Teen Charged in Fatal Shooting of 70-Year-Old Woman Outside Her Work
| Matt Masterson
Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan announced that a juvenile has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Yvonne Ruzich, who was killed as she sat in her car outside her work in the early morning hours of Aug. 16.
Daily Illinois COVID-19 Cases Near 5,000 Amid Surge
| Kristen Thometz
The 4,942 new confirmed and probable cases of the virus reported Friday mark the highest single-day total since Jan. 23, when the state reported 5,152 cases.
House Panel Seeks Records From Tech Companies in Riot Probe
| Associated Press
The requests were issued to technology giants, including Google, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, and also to Reddit, Parler, Telegram, 4chan, 8kun and other platforms.
Rose Spotted in Florida, Phew! Both of Chicago’s Beloved Piping Plover Parents Now Accounted For
| Patty Wetli
Monty arrived in Texas a week ago, and now members of Audubon Florida have confirmed that Rose has been spotted at her winter home.
Chicago Officials Sue DoorDash, Grubhub, Allege Firms Hurt Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic
| Heather Cherone
The lawsuit accuses both DoorDash and Grubhub of advertising delivery services from restaurants without their consent, damaging the restaurants’ reputations and forcing them to scramble to resolve complaints.
Kanye West Takes Chicagoans to Church in ‘Donda’ Listening Party
| Angel Idowu
The Chicago rapper performed beneath a replica of his South Shore home to thousands Thursday night at Soldier Field.
August 26, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The governor issues a statewide indoor mask mandate. Why COVID-19 breakthrough cases are being undercounted. Live from Garfield Ridge. And new research on what brain functions improve with age.
The CDC Is Only Tracking Some Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases. Is That a Problem?
| Nick Blumberg
As the delta variant continues to drive a spike in COVID-19 cases, two recent reports outline the challenges of tracking so-called breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people. We discuss the importance — and limitations — of disease surveillance.
Palos Preserves Celebrates Its Dark Side, a Rare Opportunity to Escape Big City’s Bright Lights
| Patty Wetli
Palos Preserves has been named an Urban Night Sky Place by the International Dark-Sky Association. The site emits nearly 1,000 times less light than downtown Chicago, with four times as many stars visible in the night sky than can be seen in the city.
Cook County Public Defenders to Represent Immigrants in Removal Cases
| Acacia Hernandez
A pair of bills signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker provides not only legal counsel, but also public information campaigns so immigrants and refugees will know their rights.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Garfield Ridge
| Marissa Nelson
On Chicago’s Southwest Side, Garfield Ridge is home to Midway Airport. It has a significant first responder population and many senior citizens. We talked with community leaders about the pandemic’s continuing health and economic impact — and one organization using wrestling to empower youth.
Babbling Bats May Shed Light on Language Development
| Paul Caine
Babbling baby bats. Simulated rats. The impressive memory of cuttlefish. And why, counter to popular belief, some key mental abilities appear to actually improve with aging. University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin returns to help us understand some of the latest science stories making headlines.
Biden Vows to Finish Kabul Evacuation, Avenge US Deaths
| Associated Press
President Joe Biden vowed Thursday to complete the evacuation of American citizens and others from Afghanistan despite the deadly suicide bomb attack at the Kabul airport. He also promised to avenge the deaths, declaring to the extremists responsible: “We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
CDC Identifies Source of Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Italian-Style Meats
| Kristen Thometz
Health officials are advising people not to eat Fratelli Beretta brand prepackaged uncured antipasto trays, which have been linked to salmonella outbreaks that have sickened 36 people across the country.
Kabul Airport Attack Kills 60 Afghans, 12 US Troops
| Associated Press
Two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport Thursday, transforming a scene of desperation into one of horror in the waning days of an airlift for those fleeing the Taliban takeover.
At Least 2 Dead, 1 Hurt in Shooting Near Illinois Courthouse
| Associated Press
Two men were killed and another was injured on Thursday in a shooting near the courthouse in the small northern Illinois city of Kankakee, authorities said.
Jussie Smollett’s Attorneys Can’t Call Kim Foxx to Testify at Trial, Judge Rules
| Matt Masterson
A Cook County judge has not yet scheduled a date for the criminal trial of actor Jussie Smollett, but he did rule Thursday that attorneys for the former “Empire” star cannot call State’s Attorney Kim Foxx or her chief deputy to testify.
No Bail for Teen Who Allegedly Fled Into Restaurant Full of Police After Lincoln Square Shooting
| Matt Masterson
Alexandru Mihai, 19, was denied bail Thursday after his arrest on charges of attempted murder, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.
Pritzker Issues Indoor Mask Mandate for All, Vaccine Requirement for Teachers
Governor: “We are running out of time as our hospitals run out of beds”
| Kristen Thometz
After a weekslong surge in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced an indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents and a vaccine requirement for pre-K through 12th grade teachers and staff, among others.
100,000 More COVID Deaths Seen Unless US Changes its Ways
| Associated Press
The U.S. is projected to see nearly 100,000 more COVID-19 deaths between now and Dec. 1, according to the nation’s most closely watched forecasting model. But health experts say that toll could be cut in half if nearly everyone wore a mask in public spaces.
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