Stories by WTTW News
Crain’s Headlines: Capital One Looks to Leave Suburban Office Space
| WTTW News
Credit card company Capital One plans to have local employees work in its downtown office or remotely. Crain’s Chicago Business editor Ann Dwyer has details.
December 21, 2020 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Dec. 21, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
CTA Wins Federal Approval for Next Phase of Red Line Extension; Construction Could Start in 2025
| Nick Blumberg
The CTA hopes to fund about half of the $2.3 billion project — the largest in the agency’s history — with grant money from the Federal Transit Administration.
New Coronavirus Strains Explained: Are They Cause For Concern?
| Associated Press
Reports from Britain and South Africa of new coronavirus strains that seem to spread more easily are causing alarm, but virus experts say it’s unclear if that’s the case or whether they pose any concern for vaccines or cause more severe disease.
High Court Rules Challenge to Trump Census Plan Is Premature
| Associated Press
A divided Supreme Court has dismissed as premature a challenge to President Trump’s plan to exclude people living in the country illegally from the population count used to allot states seats in the House of Representatives.
Biden Gets COVID-19 Vaccine, Says ‘Nothing to Worry About’
| Associated Press
The president-elect took a dose of Pfizer vaccine Monday at a hospital not far from his Delaware home, hours after his wife, Jill Biden, did the same. The injections came the same day that a second vaccine, produced by Moderna, will start arriving in states.
La Russa Resolves DUI Case, Feels ‘Deep Remorse and Regret’
| Associated Press
White Sox manager Tony La Russa says he doesn’t have a drinking problem. He also says he has to prove that with his behavior.
Rules Requiring Nonprofits to Register as Lobbyists Delayed Again
| Heather Cherone
New rules requiring nonprofit organizations to register as lobbyists will not take effect until at least April 1 amid an outcry about the impact of the new regulations and delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Congress Seals Agreement on COVID-19 Relief, Government Funding
| Associated Press
Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Dec. 20, 2020 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Planning for college during a pandemic. A victory for opponents of the planned closure of Mercy Hospital. Remembering victims of gun violence during the holidays. Plus, a Kwanzaa throwback.
COVID-19 and Higher Ed: Students Face Challenges Applying, Paying for College
| Erica Gunderson
In any year, applying for college can be a stressful time for high school students. But like so many other things this year, the pandemic has made the application process even more uncertain and difficult.
People Over 75, Essential Workers Next In Line For Vaccine
| Associated Press
A federal advisory panel put people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters, teachers and grocery store workers next in line for COVID-19 shots as a second vaccine began rolling out Sunday to hospitals.
Chicago Food Favorites Reimagined as Holiday Ornaments, Decor for Pop-Up Shop
| Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Craving a Chicago-style dog or a slice of deep dish? A new online pop-up serves artful representations of the city’s most popular eats — and these dishes double as holiday gifts and ornaments that won’t get your fingers greasy.
City’s Top Lawyer Resigns Amid Furor Over Mistaken Police Raid
| Heather Cherone
Mark Flessner, the city’s top lawyer, resigned Sunday amid a growing furor over Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s handling of the revelation that Chicago police officers handcuffed a naked woman during a mistaken raid in February 2019.
Illinois Surpasses 900,000 COVID-19 Cases
| WTTW News
As Illinois reaches another grim milestone in the number of COVID-19 cases, December is on pace to become the state’s deadliest month, an analysis of public health data shows.
2nd COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized in US Preparing To Ship Out
| Associated Press
Workers on Sunday began packaging shipments of the second COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the U.S., a desperately needed boost to efforts to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.
Sabor Latino: Coquito
| Erica Gunderson
’Tis the season for the delicious coconut drink that’s a treasured tradition for Puerto Ricans. We share a coquito toast with comedian Mike Oquendo and learn how to whip up a batch at home.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Dec. 19, 2020 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What happens when you and your doctor don’t speak the same language. Immigrant teens working illegally in suburban factories. A holiday window display helps artists and businesses during the pandemic.
The Importance of Getting Health Care That Speaks Your Language
| Erica Gunderson
Communication with your health care providers is crucial for good outcomes, but what happens when you don’t speak the same language? Two local doctors talk about breaking through language barriers in medicine.
Helping Those in Need a Family Affair This Holiday Season
| Ariel Parrella-Aureli
About two dozen volunteers of all ages took to the streets Saturday to distribute 120 care pages to people experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Meet the founders of The heARTS Project, the new nonprofit behind the effort.
General Sorry For ‘Miscommunication’ Over Vaccine Shipments
| Associated Press
The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines across the United States apologized on Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution.
Brookfield Zoo Loses 7 Years of ‘Magic’ After Bottlenose Dolphin Dies From Longtime Respiratory Illness
| Ariel Parrella-Aureli
The Chicago Zoological Society said it was devastated by the loss of the dolphin, Magic, who was born and hand-reared at Brookfield Zoo. Others who had visited the dolphin expressed their sadness on social media.
Behind the Mistaken Raid By Chicago Police On An Innocent Social Worker’s Home
| CNN
Increased scrutiny over the Chicago Police Department’s mistaken raid comes as police face national calls for reform over how they do their jobs following a reckoning that has swept the country in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and other allegations of police brutality.
What Shutdown? Zoos and Aquariums Still Operate 24/7 Even When Closed To Visitors
| Patty Wetli
For institutions with “living collections,” there’s really been no such thing as a shutdown during the pandemic. Even with no visitors coming through the door, zoos and aquariums are still caring for their animals around the clock.
The Week in Review: COVID-19 Vaccinations Begin in Illinois
| Alexandra Silets
The first round of health care workers in Illinois receive COVID-19 vaccines. Mayor Lightfoot slammed over a shocking police video of a wrongful raid. And the Chicago Teachers Union loses its challenge to prevent in-person learning.
US Clears Moderna Vaccine for COVID-19, 2nd Shot in Arsenal
| Associated Press
Much-needed doses are set to arrive Monday after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health.
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