Stories by Eunice Alpasan
Traffic Stops by Chicago Police Disproportionately Impact Black, Latino Drivers: Report
| Eunice Alpasan
A new report found that from 2015 to 2021, the average Black Chicago driver was six times more likely to be stopped than the average White driver. Latino drivers were twice as likely to be stopped than White drivers.
Week in Review: Barbs Fly Between Chicago Mayoral Candidates
| Alexandra Silets
Barbs fly between the would-be mayors. Chicago police mourn one of their own. And the NASCAR race leaves a bad taste in summer festival plans.
Chicago Bears Trade No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft to Carolina Panthers: AP Sources
| Associated Press
The move allows the Panthers to acquire a potential franchise quarterback, although it remains unclear which QB Carolina prefers. The Bears are committed to Justin Fields at quarterback, and that gave them leverage to trade down.
The Enduring Allure of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
| Hedy Weiss
There is a palpable electricity in the air whenever the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater arrives on stage at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. A recent performance featured pieces both old and new.
11 Charged in Federal Court With Operating 24-Hour Crack Cocaine ‘Hotline’ on Chicago’s North Side
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors announced drug trafficking charges against 11 people who allegedly worked on behalf of the La Familia Stones street gang to distribute the drugs primarily in Albany Park between 2021 and 2022.
Spring Forward: Standard Time Giving Way to Daylight Saving on Sunday
| Associated Press
In Chicago, you’ll lose an hour of sleep for one night but gain more daylight in the evening in the months ahead.
Another US Hiring Surge: 311,000 Jobs Despite Fed Rate Hikes
| Associated Press
America’s employers added a substantial 311,000 jobs in February, fewer than January’s huge gain but enough to keep pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates aggressively to fight inflation.
March 9, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Remembering fallen officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso. Dissecting the COVID-19 lab leak theory now seen as possible by some federal agencies. And Englewood residents fight for a CTA Green Line stop on Racine.
Englewood Residents Overwhelmingly Back Reopening Racine Green Line Station. CTA Says It’s ‘Fully Committed’ to the Idea
| Nick Blumberg
After years of efforts to reopen the shuttered stop, there’s been momentum in recent months — including an outpouring of support at the ballot box last week, with 93% of area voters calling on the CTA to get Racine back up and running.
Lab-Leak Theory Resurfaces as House Republicans Investigate COVID-19 Origins
| Paul Caine
The U.S. Department of Energy and the FBI both assess that COVID-19 may have leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China. Yet the Energy Department has “low confidence” in its assessment, while FBI director Christopher Wray said the agency has “moderate confidence” in its.
Englewood Residents Didn’t Want Save A Lot to Replace Whole Foods, But Lease Shows It Was Always a Backup Plan
| Nick Blumberg
Many community leaders and residents who spoke out at public meetings didn’t want to see discount grocer Save A Lot move in, citing its limited options and poor reputation among many Chicagoans. Despite that outcry, Save A Lot operator Yellow Banana has been announced as the new tenant in the grocery store space.
Mourners Gather at Funeral of Slain Chicago Police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso
| Joanna Hernandez
Chicago police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso, 32, was shot and killed last week while responding to a domestic violence call on the city’s Southwest Side. Hundreds gathered Thursday to pay their final respects, describing the officer as selfless and brave.
US Rep. Darin LaHood Says FBI Wrongly Sought Surveillance Info About Him
| Associated Press
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., did not say why the FBI may have searched his name in information collected under a provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act known as Section 702, and a spokesman for the lawmaker did not respond to a request for further clarification.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: St. Patrick’s Day Parades, Physician Magician
| Erica Demarest
Parades, magic shows and a film festival usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
Biden Proposes $350M Federal Grant to Fund Far South Side CTA Red Line Extension
| Heather Cherone
Even if the federal grant is approved by Congress, Chicago would need an additional $2.4 billion to cover the total cost of the project, much of which is city officials hope will come from the federal government in future years.
Death of a Prairie: Bulldozers Arrived at Bell Bowl at Dawn
| Patty Wetli
Bell Bowl Prairie was bulldozed Thursday morning after an 18-month fight to save the ancient prairie remnant from destruction by Rockford Airport, which is carving out a roadway for an expansion of its cargo operations.
R. Kelly Files Appeal After Federal Child Pornography, Enticement Convictions in Chicago
| Matt Masterson
Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean on Thursday filed her notice with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. That move is not a surprise, as Bonjean last month noted her intent to appeal Kelly’s convictions on three child pornography and three child enticement charges.
Chicago State University Faculty Begin Strike Vote Ahead of Possible Walkout
| Matt Masterson
The CSU University Professionals of Illinois announced its membership is taking a strike authorization vote that will last from Wednesday until Friday.
March 8, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A police officer with Proud Boy ties returns to the job. The likelihood of a deadly train derailment in Illinois. Highlights from tonight’s mayoral debate. And making art from unexpected items.
Chicago Artist Gives Barrettes New Life in Colorful Mosaic Portraits
| Angel Idowu
Unexpected household items are the focus of a local artist creating portraits for her inner child.
The ‘Birthplace’ of House Music Makes Preservation Chicago’s Most Endangered Buildings List for 2023
| Patty Wetli
“The Warehouse should be protected as a symbol of the rich history of Chicago’s LBGTQ+ African-American community, the incredible story of house music and the groundbreaking impact that Frankie Knuckles had on the sound of modern music today,” Preservation Chicago said.
Illinois Is No Stranger to Train Derailments Involving Hazardous Materials. Could an East Palestine Disaster Happen Here?
| Jared Rutecki
Federal data show 272 hazardous materials releases involving trains in Illinois in the last decade. Predicting when and where environmental problems will manifest is difficult, but the risk is real.
SEIU Local 1 Backs Brandon Johnson for Mayor, as Willie Wilson Endorses Paul Vallas
| Heather Cherone
SEIU Local 1, which represents 45,000 janitors, security officers, airport workers, home care workers and window washers, is the first major labor organization to back a candidate for mayor after the Feb. 28 election.
2 Former Cook County Prosecutors Charged in Connection With Jackie Wilson Murder Trial
| Matt Masterson
Special prosecutor Lawrence Oliver on Wednesday announced a 14-count indictment against former Assistant State’s Attorneys Nicholas Trutenko and Andrew Horvat following the botched prosecution of Wilson, who was facing his third trial for the 1982 murders of police Officers William Fahey and Richard O’Brien.
Biden’s Budget Aims to Cut Deficits Nearly $3 Trillion Over 10 Years
| Associated Press
The deficit reduction goal is significantly higher than the $2 trillion that Biden had promised in his State of the Union address last month. It also is a sharp contrast with House Republicans, who have called for a path to a balanced budget but have yet to offer a blueprint.
Chicago Police Officer Who Lied About Ties to Proud Boy Returns to City Payroll
| Heather Cherone
Officer Robert Bakker returned to full duty Wednesday, two weeks after members of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee demanded that Chicago Police Department officials do more to weed out extremists from the department’s ranks.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Chicago Bears Say They Are Moving Forward With a Move to Indiana
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Stacey King, Longtime Bulls Broadcaster Who Played on Three Championship Teams, Dies at 59
ComEd CEO on Rate Increase, Data Centers and Bouncing Back From Scandal
Chicago Sees Fewest May Homicides in Decades, But Shootings Remain Ahead of Last Year’s Pace
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter