Stories by Associated Press

GOP Convention Takeaways: Pence Pounces While Crises Swirl

Plus: Spotlight Politics team recaps Pence’s speech and previews the finale

Republicans proceeded with the third night of their national convention, but many Americans — particularly those in the path of Hurricane Laura — were focused on more immediate concerns. 

August 27, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Aug. 27, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Vigilante Calls on Social Media Before Deadly Kenosha Attack

Repeated calls for armed vigilantes to travel to Kenosha to protect businesses following the police shooting of Jacob Blake spread across social media in the hours before two people were shot to death and a third was wounded.

Lightfoot Asks for Proposals for Casino in ‘Heart’ of Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot took the first step Thursday toward making the long-planned Chicago casino a reality, asking firms interested in building and operating “a unique entertainment and gaming experience” to make their pitch to city officials.

Chicago Will Not Alter COVID-19 Testing Recommendation After Federal Government Changes Guidance: Arwady

Chicago health officials will continue to recommend that anyone exposed to someone diagnosed with the coronavirus be tested for COVID-19, despite new guidance from the CDC that ignited a firestorm of controversy.

1,707 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois, 24 More Deaths

Eight Cook County residents were among the 24 deaths reported by Illinois health officials Thursday as the state nears 8,000 virus-related deaths and more than 227,000 cases of COVID-19.

Struggling Native Oaks Get $40K Boost From Forest Service to Fight Invaders

Oak trees, once abundant in the Chicago region, have been struggling to reproduce in recent decades. A grant from the U.S. Forest Service will help fund a restoration project at Greene Valley in Naperville.

Kenosha Protests Peaceful After Night of Chaos and Shootings

Groups that had taken to Kenosha’s streets with long guns were nowhere to be seen early Thursday following somber protests and no widespread unrest for the first night since the weekend police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Top CPS Official Charged With Lying to FBI

Pedro Soto, a high-ranking Chicago Public Schools official, has been charged with lying to FBI investigators about giving non-public information to a lobbyist on behalf of a bidder seeking a $1 billion custodial services contract.

17-Year-Old Arrested After 2 Killed During Unrest in Kenosha

A white, 17-year-old police admirer was arrested Wednesday after two people were shot to death during a third straight night of protests in Kenosha over the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake.

Local GOP Lawmakers Praise First Lady’s ‘Home Run’ RNC Speech

The president’s wife and children present the case for their dad’s reelection. Republican state lawmakers share their thoughts about the Republican National Convention so far.

So You Need to Renew Your Driver’s License …

Even before the pandemic, Illinois Secretary of State offices in Chicago saw long lines as people sought Real IDs ahead of a fall deadline. That deadline and others have been pushed back. Here’s what you need to know.

Emmett Till’s Cousin: ‘65 Years Later and Nothing Really Has Changed’

The painful legacy of Emmett Till seems fresh amid this era of civil unrest. We reflect on his death with Ollie Gordon, Till’s cousin, and Chris Benson, who co-authored an autobiography of Mamie Till-Mobley, Till’s mother.

State Sen. Bill Brady on Unrest, COVID-19, Mail-In Voting and RNC

As part of our special coverage of the Republican National Convention, we speak with Illinois Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady.

Board of Education Renews SRO Contract With Chicago Police

Resource officers will remain in Chicago Public Schools once in-person learning resumes after the Board of Education approved a new contract with the Chicago Police Department.

14K Chicagoans Apply for Housing Assistance Grants: Officials

Thousands of Chicagoans who lost their jobs or found their paychecks scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic asked the city for help paying their rent or mortgages, officials said.

What the City, Park District Are Doing to Shore Up Infrastructure Along Chicago’s Lakefront and Beyond

Chicago is facing a lot of unfunded infrastructure needs in the coming years, according to officials. And it’s not just roads, bridges and streetlights that need work. The city’s lakefront is grappling with another year of high lake levels.

2,157 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois, 37 Additional Deaths

New policy on face coverings at bars and restaurants takes effect

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,157 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and another 37 virus-related deaths — including a teenage girl from Cook County.

Push to Keep Woodlawn Residents In Their Homes Near Obama Center Advances

Even though the Obama Presidential Center has yet to receive final approval from the federal government to break ground, Woodlawn’s real estate market is already bubbling, with the median sale price rising 106% from 2016 to 2020.

2 Men Face Federal Charges In Connection With Looting During Protests in May

Two Chicago men will face federal charges that they looted three Northwest Side pharmacies on May 31 during the protests triggered by the death of George Floyd.

August 26, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Aug. 26, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

‘Fighting for You’: First Lady Makes Her Case for Trump Vote

Plus: Spotlight Politics team breaks it all down

First lady Melania Trump offered a polished portrait of Trump’s presidency Tuesday night that was often at odds with the crises, division and unforgiving actions of his administration.

How Race Has Had a Starring Role at Both Party Conventions

We take a closer look at the role race has played in the political conventions — especially at the opening night of the Republican National Convention.

Jeanne Ives Weighs In on Republican Convention, Illinois GOP

As part of our special coverage of the Republican National Convention, we speak with Jeanne Ives, Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 6th District.

How New Delegates are Celebrating the Virtual Republican National Convention

Many Republican delegates will be watching the convention from their couches this week, missing the usual excitement of an in-person event. We check in with two first-time delegates for their impressions so far.

Lawyer: Blake Not Likely to Walk Again After He Was Shot By Police

Jacob Blake, the Black man shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin, is paralyzed, and it would “take a miracle” for him to walk again, his family’s attorney said Tuesday.
 

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