Stories by Associated Press
Cubs Family Patriarch Apologizes for Racist Emails
| Associated Press
The patriarch of the family behind the Chicago Cubs has apologized after an online media outlet published emails in which he took part in racist comments and conspiracy theories.
Illinois Watchdog Group Releases ‘Guide to Fighting Robocalls’
| WTTW News
Some robocalls are helpful, but most – representing politicians or telemarketers – have become an annoying fact of life. We speak with the author of a new guide aimed at preventing those automated calls.
Advocates for a Chicago Police Consent Decree on the Need for Reform
| Evan Garcia
With an historic agreement in place, what does the road ahead look like for police reform in Chicago? We speak with community activist William Calloway and Northwestern University law professor Sheila Bedi.
Enyia Casts Personal Financial Issues as Selling Point in Campaign for Mayor
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago has an operating budget shortfall of nearly $100 million – a hole that mayoral candidate Amara Enyia says she has the skills to tackle. But documents show Enyia is struggling to manage her own finances.
Browser Extension Rates News Sites Based on Journalistic Standards
| Nicole Cardos
How can readers know whether a news site is trustworthy? There’s a web browser plug-in created by the company NewsGuard to help determine just that.
Growing List of Aldermen Speak Out Against Lincoln Yards Development
| Paris Schutz
Opponents of the $6 billion proposal are calling for more affordable housing units. “Affordable housing is a crisis throughout the entire city,” said Ald. James Cappleman, who is spearheading the opposition.
Van Dyke Prosecutor Joseph McMahon, Attorney General Discussing Sentence Challenge
| Matt Masterson
The lead prosecutor in the Jason Van Dyke murder trial says he’s spoken with the state’s top legal officer about the possibility of challenging the prison sentence handed down to the former Chicago police officer.
Chicago Couple Opens Lakeside Resort in Wisconsin’s Northwoods
| Erica Gunderson
Chicagoans Darren and Genevieve Coady are getting ready for their first summer as owners of a lakeside resort in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
Margaret Hart, Longtime WWCI Trustee, Dies at 97
| WTTW News
Margaret Hart, who served as a WWCI trustee from 1986 to 2010, died Jan. 27 at her home in Lake Forest. She was 97 years old.
FAA: Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Was Busiest in US Last Year
| Associated Press
O’Hare International Airport had more than 903,000 arrivals and departures during 2018, according to data released Monday by the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta’s airport came in second.
13 Revelations from House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Deposition
| Amanda Vinicky
House Speaker Michael Madigan has been a player in state politics for the better part of his 76 years. What a newly released deposition reveals about the famously guarded speaker and his 13th Ward Organization.
How Nina Simone Tapped Into the Pain of African-American Women
| Hedy Weiss
Christina Ham’s play, “Nina Simone: Four Women,” is the anatomy of a song. And by extension, it is the anatomy of the angry, emotionally wounded singer, songwriter, pianist and civil rights activist who wrote it.
Police Hoping to Identify Bank Robbery Suspect
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police release surveillance photos in the hopes of identifying a man suspected of robbing a pair of downtown banks in broad daylight last month.
New Field Museum Exhibit to Showcase Stunning Wildlife Photography
| Alex Ruppenthal
“Wildlife Photographer of the Year,” based on the prestigious photography competition of the same name, will feature 100 winning photos selected among 45,000 submissions from 95 countries. We preview the show.
The Week in Review: Brutal Cold as City Hall Scandal Heats Up
| Evan Garcia
Viagra, massages and toddler togs in the expanding corruption investigation at City Hall. Federal oversight is coming to the Chicago Police Department. An alleged hate crime involving a TV actor. And “Chiberia” paralyzes the city.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Ricketts Split in Mayor’s Race
| Evan Garcia
Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the political split within the billionaire Ricketts family and which mayoral candidates they support.
Chicago Police Officer Gino Garcia Invited to Attend State of the Union
| Kristen Thometz
Gino Garcia’s work to raise awareness of domestic violence caught the attention of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski. On Tuesday, Garcia will attend Trump’s address as a guest of the congressman.
‘Gentleman’s Guide’ Musical Chronicles Wild, Wacky Road to Inheritance
| Hedy Weiss
Not even the polar vortex could deter the performers and audience as Porchlight Music Theatre opened its altogether bravura production this week. This brilliantly conceived and equally brilliantly performed show was meant to defy the odds on every count.
‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Breaks Silence on ‘Horrific,’ ‘Cowardly’ Attack
| Matt Masterson
In his first public comments since reporting an attack, actor Jussie Smollett said he’s working with authorities and has been “100% factual,” disputing rumors online that he has been less than forthcoming with Chicago police.
Police: January Crime Stats Show Fewest Number of Murders Since 2010
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department points to an increase in officers and an expansion in technology in helping draw down crime and violence totals in the first 31 days of 2019.
MWRD Warns of Potential Flooding as Chicago Thaws from Deep Freeze
| Alex Ruppenthal
Melting snow and potential rain are likely to cause flooding as we head into a weekend warm-up following a record-setting Arctic blast.
Midwest Awaits Spring-Like Thaw Just Days After Bitter Cold
| Associated Press
Forecasts say temperatures will climb as much as 80 degrees. Experts say the rapid thaw is unprecedented, and it could create problems of its own — bursting pipes, flooding rivers and crumbling roads.
Viewer Feedback: ‘I Think You Meant Thurston Howell’
| WTTW News
Our reporting on the bitter cold prompts reactions to Paris Schutz’s wardrobe. What viewers had to say about a certain blue turtleneck.
In Chicago, No Time to Chill Out About the Weather
| Amanda Vinicky
The bone-chilling temperatures may have subsided – a little – but that doesn’t mean Chicago is out of the woods, Mayor Rahm Emanuel warned Thursday.
Clowning Around as a Kid Leads to Lifelong Dance Career
| Jay Shefsky
The unlikely story of how a beloved local TV show inspired the career of a beloved dancer, choreographer and teacher.
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