Stories by Evan Garcia
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Kanye West ‘Distancing’ Himself
| Evan Garcia
Kanye West’s donation of $126,460 to Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia follows a tweet in which he says he’s “distancing [himself] from politics.”
Noninvasive Wearable Device Monitors Brain Shunt Performance
| Kristen Thometz
More than 1 million Americans live with brain shunts and the constant threat of their failure, which can be fatal. A new, noninvasive skin sensor can detect whether a shunt is working in minutes.
Obama to Rally in Chicago for Democrats – Rauner Campaign Says it Shows Race Tightening
| Amanda Vinicky
Fresh on the heels of winning City Council approval for his planned presidential center in Jackson Park, former President Barack Obama is heading back to Chicago for a get-out-the-vote rally Sunday.
Kanye West Tweets He’s Dropping Politics, Writes Big Check
| Associated Press
Hip-hop megastar Kanye West told his Twitter followers that he was "distancing" himself from politics even as he sent a big check to boost a Democratic mayoral hopeful in his hometown of Chicago.
Ogden Principal Removed Amid ‘Falsified’ Attendance Records
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools on Thursday afternoon announced Ogden Principal Michael Beyer has been “reassigned from his principal duties” months after his school completed a merger with Jenner Elementary.
AP: Political Money in State-Level Campaigns Exceeds $2B
| Associated Press
The story of money in politics doesn't stop with spending on races for Congress. Illinois has the second most expensive race for governor on record at $210 million so far.
In ‘Scientific Method,’ Politics in the Lab Are as Rigorous as the Research
| Hedy Weiss
If you think this country’s political culture is the quintessential hornet’s nest, you probably haven’t been exposed to life in the world of scientific research. Jenny Connell Davis puts it under a powerful magnifying microscope in this world premiere work.
City Finds High Levels of Lead in Water of Some Homes
| Paris Schutz
The mayor’s office seeks to downplay a just-released study that found high levels of lead in nearly 20 percent of city homes that were tested.
Eve Ewing’s Talents Expanding, But CPS Focus Endures
| Nicole Cardos
She is a poet, sociologist, podcaster and now comic book writer. Eve Ewing’s list of professional titles keeps growing, but her focus on Chicago Public Schools endures. And her interest is not just academic – it’s personal.
Field Museum Begins 3-Year Renovation of Native American Hall
| Alex Ruppenthal
Many of the displays in the museum’s Native American Hall have gone unchanged since the 1950s. Now, Native American scholars and tribal members will work with the museum to better represent these stories.
Ex-Gymnastics Coach Faces 18-Count Indictment in Sexual Assault Case
| Alex Ruppenthal
Jose Vilchis, who was charged in October with sexually assaulting a teenage gymnast in south suburban Channahon, now faces additional charges of criminal sexual assault and sexual abuse, according to a grand jury indictment.
Ask Geoffrey: Why Traffic Reports Mention Thorndale
| Erica Gunderson
Chicagoans hear about Thorndale Avenue all the time in traffic reports, and a viewer wonders why. Geoffrey Baer speeds by with the story in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”
Singer Paul Marinaro ‘Blessed’ to be Performing in Chicago
| Marc Vitali
One of Chicago’s hottest singers is on the comeback trail following a severe health scare. We catch up with Paul Marinaro at the Green Mill.
Long Shot Libertarian Candidate for Governor Short on Cash
| Paul Caine
U.S. Navy veteran Grayson “Kash” Jackson may be one candidate for governor that few people have heard of. He tells us about his plans to fix the state.
Nine Mexican Wolves Leaving Brookfield Zoo for New Homes
| Alex Ruppenthal
They are one of the most successful packs within the nationwide Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, but nine of the 10 wolves will leave Chicago for new homes as part of a plan to help save the endangered species.
Chicago Police Sergeant Implicated in Beating of 2 Men Outside Bar
| Matt Masterson
An off-duty sergeant and suburban officer allegedly beat two men in an unprovoked attack outside a gay bar in September. But weeks after they were identified, no criminal charges have been filed.
The Choice for Governor: A WTTW News Special
| WTTW News
Exclusive, in-depth profiles of the two primary contenders for Illinois governor in 2018: Democratic nominee and Republican incumbent, Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Emanuel Opposes Tax on High-End Real Estate to Address Homelessness, Lead
| Kristen Thometz
The mayor said he understands the seriousness of homelessness and the city’s lead pipes, but he doesn’t think homeowners should be treated “as an ATM machine.”
UK Village Resents Being Used in US Midterm Election Post
| Associated Press
A recent post on Facebook by Republican candidate Nick Stella used an out-of-date photo of a rundown neighborhood in a small coastal village in eastern England.
Drunk Baggage Handler Falls Asleep in Hold, Flies to Chicago
| Associated Press
Police say a baggage handler told them he was drunk when he fell asleep in a cargo hold and flew from Kansas City to Chicago.
Obama Center Gets Unanimous City Council Approval to Land in Chicago
| Amanda Vinicky
Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday thanked Chicago aldermen for their approval of a 99-year land agreement to allow his presidential center to make its home in Jackson Park. But other hurdles remain.
Local Museums Embrace Rich History of Design in Chicago
| Marc Vitali
A look at Chicago’s historical influence on an enduring design style. Plus, overlooked graphic art made by African-American designers.
Michael Beschloss Sheds Light on ‘Presidents of War’ in New Book
| Eddie Arruza
Presidential historian Michael Beschloss on how U.S. presidents have increasingly usurped the power to go to war.
New System Designates School Performance on Annual Illinois Report Card
| Brandis Friedman
Under a new component of the annual Illinois Report Card, 20 percent of schools are eligible for additional federal funding to make improvements.
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