Stories by Quinn Myers

Ask Geoffrey: ‘The Unicorn Song’ and Its Chicago Origins

What does a song about a mythical creature have to do with one of Chicago’s most prolific – and unusual – artists? Geoffrey Baer explains.

Crain’s Headlines: Brookfield Zoo President to Step Down

No departure date has yet been set for Stuart Strahl, who announced to his board of trustees that he is heading for the exit after 17 years at the helm.

February 6, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Feb. 6, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

In Eerie Coincidence, HBO’s Flu Pandemic, Post-Apocalyptic Series ‘Station Eleven’ Filming in Chicago

As global health agencies grapple with the spread of the coronavirus, filming is underway in Chicago for “Station Eleven,” the story of a swine flu pandemic that wipes out most of the world’s population. Welcome to the apocalypse.

Weekend Closures and Interruptions on 4 CTA Train Lines

Bridge maintenance, CTA station upgrades and a massive modernization project will impact travel on portions of the Red, Blue, Green and Pink lines this weekend. Get the full details.

Chicago Police Make Arrest in Blue Line Passenger Shooting

The arrest came in large part, police said, due to surveillance footage captured by the CTA and witnesses who identified the suspect in photo arrays.

Lincoln Park HS Leader Out Amid Allegation of ‘Improper Contact’ With Student

Chicago Public Schools has opened an investigation into Judith Gibbs after a video shared with students allegedly shows her grabbing a student’s face inside the school.

Spotlight Politics: Former State Lawmakers in Trouble

There are more reports of alleged bad behavior involving former state lawmakers. Our politics team digs into that and more in our weekly roundtable.

‘Sweeping’ TIF Changes … But Are They Enough?

As a candidate, Lori Lightfoot pledged to overhaul the tax increment financing system. On Wednesday, her administration unveiled how it's beginning to make good on that promise. 

Trump Wins Acquittal, But Ukraine Saga Far From Over

A full accounting of President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, stemming in large part from the foreign policy entanglements pursued by personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, remains unfinished despite Trump’s acquittal Wednesday in the Senate.

Marin Alsop Named Chief Conductor, Curator of Ravinia

Ravinia Festival just announced a major new hire, and she comes with an amazing pedigree: conductor Marin Alsop was mentored by Leonard Bernstein. 

Lake Michigan’s High Water Level Breaks 30-Year Monthly Record

Last month, Lake Michigan was about 3 inches higher than the previous January record in 1987, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. How the record-setting levels can affect Chicagoans.

‘In The Zone’ Highlights Chicagoan’s Education Efforts at Home and Abroad

A West Side native is lifting kids out of poverty and into better school zones. We meet Terrance Wallace, whose InZone Project is the subject of a 2018 documentary premiering in Chicago this week.

Not Guilty: Senate Acquits Trump of Impeachment Charges

President Donald Trump won impeachment acquittal Wednesday in the U.S. Senate, bringing to a close only the third presidential trial in American history with votes that split the country, tested civic norms and fed the tumultuous 2020 race for the White House.

Outgoing CPS Watchdog Admits Some Complaints Against Him Were ‘Justified’

Inspector General Nicholas Schuler says Mayor Lightfoot requested resignation

CPS Inspector General Nicholas Schuler said allegations that he made sexist or racist comments are “totally baseless.” But he admitted that he was a “frequently impatient boss” who drove his employees “sometimes excessively hard.”

Chicago Artist Edo Wants to Light Up the World With Color

From clothing to digital art to painting, Chicago artist Edo sees color in all forms. “Color is my thing,” he says. “I want it to light up a room.”

Crain’s Headlines: United Buys Flight School to Tackle Pilot Shortage

The Chicago-based airline says it’s purchasing Westwind School of Aeronautics in Phoenix to tackle a talent pipeline problem that it will face for at least a decade.

February 5, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Feb. 5, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 6-9

Strong ladies, a pop-up music festival, a walk in the woods and ice skating usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Passenger Shot on CTA Blue Line Train at UIC-Halsted Station

The victim is in “very serious” condition after he was shot once as he rode a Blue Line train in what police believe may have been a targeted robbery attempt.

Democrats’ Response to Trump Turns to Working-Class Worries

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used Democrats’ response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to swivel from impeachment to working-class voters’ worries, saying her party is focusing on easing health care costs and other pocket-book concerns.

Trump Uses State of Union to Campaign; Pelosi Rips Up Speech

Standing before a Congress and a nation sharply divided by impeachment, President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to extol a “Great American Comeback” on his watch, just three years after he took office decrying a land of “American carnage” under his predecessor.

Iowa Democrats Release Some Caucus Results After Long Delay

The Iowa Democratic Party released partial results of its kickoff presidential caucus after a daylong delay late Tuesday showing former Midwestern Mayor Pete Buttigieg and progressive Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders leading the opening contest of the party’s 2020 primary season.

US Appeals Court Judge Gives America a Civics Lesson

Meet Judge Douglas Ginsburg, the Chicago native and former Supreme Court nominee who has a new PBS special.

Iowa Caucus Mess Raises New Concerns About Election Security

The long-awaited Iowa caucuses ended in chaos. Citing “inconsistencies” with a new mobile app, Democrats delayed releasing results until Tuesday afternoon. Just how secure are the elections going into the 2020 presidential race?

National Park Photographer Completes His Portfolio with Visit to Indiana Dunes

QT Luong is renowned for his photos of the country’s national parks. In 2019, he photographed what was then the newest national park: the Indiana Dunes.
 

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