Stories by Evan Garcia
‘Ugly Prey’ Tells Story of First Woman Sentenced to Hang in Chicago
| Evan Garcia
Before Sabella Nitti was sentenced to hang in 1923 for the murder of her husband, no other woman in Chicago had received such a fate. But Nitti’s case was different in more ways than one.
Austin Community Leaders Kick Off Summer with Parade, Festival
| Maya Miller
Hundreds of summer jobs are cause for celebration. “We want to make sure people know there are a lot of great things happening in this neighborhood besides bullets,” said one organizer of Friday’s event.
CDC: Nearly 1,300 Kids Die from Gunshot Wounds Annually
| Kristen Thometz
“Too many children have died or are traumatized by gun violence,” said Dr. Mark Slidell of Comer Children’s Hospital. “The impact of gun violence on children is a serious public health problem.”
Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to the Hamilton Statue?
| Erica Gunderson
What happened to the Alexander Hamilton statue in Lincoln Park? Geoffrey Baer tells his story.
Program Gives Voice to Chicago’s Misunderstood, ‘Forgotten’ Youth
| Maya Miller
Young women from Chicago’s South and West Sides can face the same roadblocks as young men, but their struggles often go unnoticed. How one mentoring program is communicating its message to girls—and teaching self-expression.
New Book Tracks Peregrine Falcon’s Return From Near-Extinction
| Nick Blumberg
‘The Peregrine Returns’ is not just a story of recovery, but adaptability, exploring how the cliff-dwelling bird has made a home in an urban environment.
Rauner Calls for Compromise Ahead of Special Session
| Amanda Vinicky
On the eve of a special legislative session, Gov. Bruce Rauner took a rare step to draw attention to the state budget situation, with a short, but – highly publicized – speech Tuesday evening.
Duckworth Urges Trump to Obey Emoluments Clause
| Brandis Friedman
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is joining several other members of the Senate and House in a lawsuit to compel President Trump to obey the Constitution's emoluments clause.
Art Conservation Expert Does Museum Work for Free
| Jay Shefsky
Art conservation can cost thousands of dollars. Meet one man who’s dedicated to restoring works of art pro bono.
New Book Unearths Role, Influence of Museum Curators
| Paul Caine
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Field Museum, and the role and influence of the curators who put the museum's incredible collection together.
34 Pre-K Assistants Laid Off as CPS Revises Programming
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools says the move is not due to spending cuts, but because it is transitioning to a new "universal preschool model."
CPS Borrowing More Money, But Mayor Says Schools Will Open on Time
| Matt Masterson
Tuesday marked the final day of classes for CPS students, and despite lingering questions about district finances and the state budget, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is promising school will resume on time this fall.
Scott Drury, the Anti-Madigan Democratic Candidate for Governor
| Alexandra Silets
There are eight Democratic candidates vying to take on incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, but one is gaining traction as the anti-Madigan candidate.
Nurse’s Passion Leads Her to Patient Advocacy
| Kristen Thometz
Navigating the ever-changing landscape of health care can be difficult. Meet a local patient advocate who’s made it her life’s work to help others.
All Cooped Up: Renting Chickens in Chicago
| Evan Garcia
The backyard chicken trend gets a leg up with the prospect of temporary ownership – and farm-fresh eggs.
Politics and Prog Rock with Dave Weigel of the Washington Post
| Nick Blumberg
Politics and progressive rock may not sound like a natural pairing. But for most of 2016, they dominated Dave Weigel’s life.
Recruiting America’s Future Hackers – On Chicago’s West Side
| Alex Ruppenthal
Can a collectible card game teach cybersecurity skills to middle school students? A UIC professor wants to get young people excited about computer science and interested in high-demand, high-paying careers.
State Moves to Cut Off IDOT Construction
| Amanda Vinicky
If a budget isn’t in place by July 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation says all contractors must stop any roadwork. What this may mean for your morning commute.
Robert Steele, Cook County Commissioner, Dies at 55
| Brandis Friedman
Residents of North Lawndale and the Cook County Board are mourning the loss of one of their own. Second District Commissioner Robert Steele died Monday from complications of diabetes.
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton on Budget Stalemate
| Alexandra Silets
The state has been without a budget for 719 days. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton joins Carol Marin to talk about how the state can finally get a budget.
Fermilab Celebrates 50 Years of Scientific Discovery
| Paul Caine
Since 1967, a laboratory just outside Chicago has been pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. We go for a look.
‘Paula’ Avatar to Ease Communication between the Hearing and Deaf
| Nicole Cardos
A team of researchers at DePaul University is working to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities. Meet “Paula,” the American Sign Language avatar they created that translates English into ASL.
Why ‘Dirt is Good’ For a Child’s Developing Immune System
| Nick Blumberg
For many parents, questions of hygiene and health weigh heavily on their minds. A new book argues that a fixation on cleanliness won’t lead to healthier children.
Illinois State Reps Discuss Budget Ahead of Special Session
| Evan Garcia
The pressure is on for Illinois lawmakers to strike a budget deal before July 1. We speak with two members of the Illinois House as they prepare for this week’s special session.
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