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Stories by Nick Blumberg

Chicago’s Sustainability Officer on Legacy Pollution and Neighborhood Priorities

We speak with Angela Tovar, the city’s recently named sustainability officer, about a new air quality ordinance and improving Chicago’s environment.

Social Media Misinformation a Major Challenge for Election Authorities, Voters

In an age when false information can be disseminated to millions with a single tweet or Facebook post, combatting that misinformation is all the more important. What election officials are doing to dispel misleading myths.

Lightfoot Calls on Investigators to Finish Probe Into Officers Who Lounged, Napped in US Rep. Rush’s Office as Looting Swept South Side

It is past time for investigators to complete their probe into the conduct of 13 officers who lounged, slept and snacked in the burglarized office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush as unrest swept the city in June, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.

Crain’s Headlines: Amazon Begins Hiring Binge in Chicago

The e-commerce giant is opening more distribution centers in Chicago — and plans to hire thousands. Crain’s Chicago Business Editor Ann Dwyer joins us with the stories behind the headlines.

September 14, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Sept. 14, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Durbin Raises COVID-19 Testing Concerns, Shortfalls in Letter to HHS

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is raising concerns about coronavirus testing at the nation’s schools, colleges and universities in the wake of incidents in which he says the federal government “commandeered” supplies.

Salvation Army Kicks Off Red Kettle Fundraiser in September to Rescue Christmas

The unmistakable sound of the Salvation Army’s bell-ringers could be heard Monday morning along Michigan Avenue as the organization announced an unprecedented September kickoff to its annual Red Kettle fundraiser.

Anti-Inflammatory Drug May Shorten COVID-19 Recovery Time

A drug company says that adding an anti-inflammatory medicine to a drug already widely used for hospitalized COVID-19 patients shortens their time to recovery by an additional day.

Effort To Track COVID-19 Infections With New Workforce Behind Schedule

A push to build a first-of-its-kind workforce to conduct community-level contact tracing is months behind schedule, even as health officials brace for a surge in infections at the start of the traditional flu season.

‘It’s Beyond Frustrating,’ Top Cop Says After Man Out on Bail for Gun Offense Charged in Fatal Shooting

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown again criticized a perceived lack of consequences for gun offenders after a weekend in which 53 people were shot in the city, 10 fatally.

West Coast Wildfire Smoke Reaches Chicago, Creating Hazy Sky

Smoke from the West Coast wildfires has drifted into northern Illinois, creating milky white or gray skies over what should be a sunny Chicago, according to the National Weather Service.

Chicago Must Build More Affordable Housing That Black, Latino Chicagoans Can Actually Afford: Task Force

The city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance created just 1,049 homes in 13 years by requiring some developers to set aside units for low- and moderate-income Chicagoans, but that has barely dented the city’s affordable housing gap, according to a new report.

2 California Deputies Shot in Apparent Ambush in Patrol Car

Authorities searched Sunday for a gunman who shot and critically wounded two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies who were sitting in their squad car — an apparent ambush that drew a reward for information and an angry response from the president.

Parades Give Way to Caravans, Virtual Celebrations for Mexican Independence Day Amid COVID-19

​Mexican Independence Day celebrations are a community staple across many communities in Chicago and beyond. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, those celebrations are looking very different this year.

Black Voices: The Debut Episode

Chicago Public Schools students talk about their first week of virtual classes. We explore the history of police in schools, and the local connections of the NFL’s first Black team president.

Black Voices: First Week in 2020 School Year Tests CPS

How did the first week of virtual school go at Chicago Public Schools? We speak with a panel of CPS students about their experiences.

Black Voices: Northwestern, Booth Alum Named NFL Team President

From the football field to the front office: We speak with Jason Wright, the NFL’s first Black team president.

COVID-19 in Illinois: 1,462 New Cases, 14 Additional Deaths

More than 1,400 new cases of the coronavirus and 14 deaths were reported Sunday by state health officials, bringing statewide totals to 261,371 cases and 8,309 deaths since the first infection was reported in Illinois in late January.

He Was Wrongfully Imprisoned for 8 Years. Now He’s a Defense Lawyer

Jarrett Adams is a criminal defense lawyer who has dedicated his career to bringing justice to those who are underserved. But his first experience with the law came with trying to prove his own innocence.

$50,000 Reward Offered After USPS Employee Is Critically Injured in Shooting

A 24-year-old letter carrier was “shot multiple times while working” Thursday on the South Side around noon, the Chicago Police Department said in an incident release.

Latino Voices: The Debut Episode

A new school year begins. Is CPS making the grade? Presidential candidates vie for Latino votes. A photography exhibit in the Loop is closing soon — we visit “Temporal: Puerto Rican Resistance.” Watch the full show.

Latino Voices: Is CPS Making the Grade With Remote Learning?

After a long holiday weekend, Chicago Public Schools students logged in Tuesday for their first week of remote learning to open the 2020 school year amid the pandemic. The pluses and minuses of week one.

Latino Voices: Perspectives on the 2020 Election

A record 32 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in 2020, making Latinos the largest ethnic or racial group this election. Have the candidates done all they can to garner support from Latino voters? 

UIC Nurses Launch 7-Day Strike, SEIU Workers to Join Forces Monday

Hundreds of nurses at the University of Illinois Hospital took to the picket line Saturday for a weeklong strike amid contract negotiations between their union, the Illinois Nurses Association, and the hospital system.

Trump’s Virus Debate: Project Strength Or Level With Public

In times of crisis, effective leaders strike a balance between inspirational rhetoric and leveling with the public about the tough times ahead. Facing the coronavirus, President Donald Trump chose a different path.

The Week in Review: Probe Into Madigan’s Conduct Begins

Illinois Republicans probe Michael Madigan. U.S. Attorney General Barr touts a drop in Chicago crime. Recordings reveal President Trump knew about COVID-19 dangers while publicly saying the opposite.
 

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