Stories by WTTW News
Crain’s Headlines: Medical Association Cancels Conference Amid Coronavirus Fears
| WTTW News
The American College of Cardiology has called off its upcoming conference at McCormick Place due to coronavirus concerns, adding to a run of cancellations at the Chicago convention center because of the outbreak.
Testimony in Paul Bauer Murder Trial Delayed Due to ‘Extenuating Circumstances’
| Matt Masterson
The second week of testimony in the murder trial of Shomari Legghette was unexpectedly delayed Monday by an unknown issue “beyond the control of the court.”
US Prisons, Jails on Alert for Spread of Coronavirus
| Associated Press
There have been no reports of COVID-19 inside U.S. jails or prisons. But more people are incarcerated per capita here than in any other country in the world and prisons have become hot spots in other nations touched by the outbreak.
Look Up for Super Worm Moon Monday Night, First Supermoon of 2020
| Patty Wetli
March’s full moon is called the Worm Moon, and it will be an extra bright supermoon.
Nursing Homes Face Unique Challenge With Coronavirus
| Associated Press
From Miami to Seattle, nursing homes and other facilities for the elderly are stockpiling masks and thermometers, preparing for staff shortages and screening visitors to protect a particularly vulnerable population from the coronavirus.
Official: White House Didn’t Want to Tell Seniors Not to Fly
| Associated Press
The White House overruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus, a federal official told The Associated Press.
CPS Teacher’s Assistant Marks 6th Coronavirus Case in Illinois
| Brandis Friedman
A Chicago woman in her 50s who works at Chicago Public Schools in the city’s Portage Park neighborhood has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Week in Review: Lightfoot Endorses Biden Ahead of Illinois Primary
| Evan Garcia
Illinois’ top Democrats coalesce behind Joe Biden in the presidential primary. Bernie Sanders plans a Grant Park rally. A sixth person tests positive for the coronavirus in Illinois. And the police union votes for a new leader.
10 Questions with an Infectious Disease Doctor About Coronavirus
| Kristen Thometz
Who should be wearing masks? Is the virus seasonal? A local infectious disease physician answers these questions and others about COVID-19.
March (Wagering) Madness – You Can Bet on It
| Amanda Vinicky
For the first time, gamblers will be able to legally wager on sports games in Illinois starting at noon Monday, when Rivers Casino in Des Plaines opens its BetRivers Sportsbook.
City Grades Itself on Implementing Court-Enforced Police Department Overhaul
| Brandis Friedman
In a 23-page report filed Friday, the city of Chicago highlights the steps it has taken in the last six months to make progress on implementing a court-ordered consent decree.
Starbucks Pulls Plug on Reusable Cups Amid Coronavirus Fears
| Patty Wetli
Starbucks said it is “pausing” the use of personal cups in its stores as a precautionary response to the coronavirus epidemic.
It’s Daylight Saving Time. Get Ready to Lose an Hour of Your Weekend
| Patty Wetli
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour on Sunday.
All Eyes on Illinois Commerce Commission as Pipeline Expansion Finally Gets a Hearing
| Patty Wetli
Lawyers began presenting evidence Thursday as the Illinois Commerce Commission weighs a petition to double the throughput of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, which runs through the state.
R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty; Feds Say New Charges Planned
| Associated Press
R&B singer R. Kelly on Thursday pleaded not guilty to an updated federal indictment that includes child pornography charges and allegations involving a new accuser, while prosecutors said more charges alleging yet another victim are upcoming.
Will Illinois Have an All-White Supreme Court Bench? That’s up to Voters
| Amanda Vinicky
The only Illinois Supreme Court seat held by a person of color is up for grabs, and Cook County voters will decide who wins the 10-year term.
How SARS Research is Helping Scientists Explore Treatment for Coronavirus
| Alexandra Silets
A team of doctors and researchers based in Chicago has discovered that a protein in the coronavirus could be treated with drugs that had been in development for SARS. We get an update on their work.
10 Things to Know about El Greco (Including His Brazen Offer to Repaint the Sistine Chapel)
| Marc Vitali
We preview the exhibition “El Greco: Ambition and Defiance” at the Art Institute of Chicago, which partnered with the Louvre and the Grand Palais for the show, and learn about the man behind the masterworks.
Dance is the Name of the Game on Chicago Stages as Alvin Ailey Company Leads the Way
| Hedy Weiss
Chicago’s dance card is full to bursting. And one of the city’s most beloved “visitors” – the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – is now drawing its usual huge crowds to the Auditorium Theatre.
Crain’s Headlines: Furniture Retailer Art Van Shuts Down Operations
| WTTW News
Art Van, one of the largest furniture retailers in the Midwest, announced Thursday it will shut down all of its 180 stores, including the two dozen it currently operates in Illinois.
Chicago’s One Earth Film Fest Features Flick About City’s Beloved Pair of Piping Plovers
| Patty Wetli
Remember those endangered piping plovers that captured Chicagoans’ hearts? They’re back — as the stars of the documentary “Monty and Rose,” screening this month during the One Earth Film Festival.
TUTA Heightens the Shock Value in ‘Hedda Gabler’ With Blasts of Music
| Hedy Weiss
When it comes to revivals of Henrik Ibsen’s plays in this era of neo-feminism, “A Doll’s House” attracts the most attention. But it is the title character in “Hedda Gabler” who takes the cake. And in this new production, she has never been more compelling and convincing.
5th Person Tests Positive for Coronavirus in Cook County
| Kristen Thometz
A man in his 20s has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Italy, marking the fifth case of the virus in Illinois. The patient is hospitalized in isolation at Rush University Medical Center, where he’s reported to be in stable condition.
Handwashing is the First Defense Against Coronavirus. Are You Doing it Right?
| Patty Wetli
Handwashing. It’s something we’ve all be doing since we were toddlers and, as it turns out, we’ve probably been doing it wrong. The World Health Organization shows us how it’s really done.
Chicago Cops in Station Shooting Stripped of Police Powers
| Associated Press
Chicago’s interim police superintendent stripped two officers of their police powers pending the outcome of the investigation into their roles in the non-fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect inside a Red Line L station last week.
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