Stories by Hedy Weiss
Tradition and Hi-Tech Blend Seamlessly in Broadway-Ready ‘Wizard of Oz’
| Hedy Weiss
At Paramount Theatre, director-choreographer Amber Mak and her sensational team of actors and designers magically pay homage to the emotional richness of the 1939 film while incorporating some of the newest tricks of technology.
Slick Roads, Blowing Snow Delay Air, Road Travel in Midwest
| Associated Press
The Chicago area was slammed with up to a foot of wet snow, and whiteout conditions stalled commuter traffic on the roads.
Chicago Defends Location of Obama Library in Federal Court
| Associated Press
The city of Chicago responded last week to a lawsuit seeking to stop construction of the Obama Presidential Center, saying the buildings would sit on land that wasn't subject to restrictive public-trust laws.
Ex-Trump Campaign Adviser Papadopoulos to Report to Prison
| Associated Press
Former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos was scheduled to report to prison on Monday after a federal judge rejected his last-minute bid to delay his two-week sentence.
New ‘Miss Saigon’ Tour Turns Up the Heat But Loses the Heart
| Hedy Weiss
The new touring production of the epic show could not be more elaborate, but it trades more in shock value than pathos, and loses something in the process.
Who’s Who in the Laquan McDonald Shooting Conspiracy Trial
| Matt Masterson
Three current and former Chicago police officers will go on trial this week, accused of attempting to cover up details of the high-profile shooting. Here are the key names to know as the case gets underway.
Funeral Services Set for Chicago Officer Killed at Mercy Hospital
| Associated Press
The Chicago Police Department released funeral arrangements for Officer Samuel Jimenez, who was shot and killed by a gunman Monday at the South Side hospital.
It’s a Twitter War: Doctors Clash with NRA Over Gun Deaths
| Associated Press
The debate gained new urgency this week with the shooting death of Dr. Tamara O’Neal outside Mercy Hospital, as physicians argue shootings are a public health crisis that they must play a key role in trying to stem.
Study: Drivers Traveled 1.9M Extra Miles Due to Closed City Emission Test Sites
| Alex Ruppenthal
A new analysis shows that closing Chicago's final two vehicle emissions testing facilities came at a cost to hundreds of thousands of city drivers, with the biggest impact on low-income and minority drivers.
Americans, Canadians Are Warned Not to Eat Romaine Lettuce
| Associated Press
Health officials in the U.S. and Canada told people Tuesday to stop eating romaine lettuce because of a new E. coli outbreak. Two people in Illinois have tested positive for this same outbreak strain.
Deere Profit Soars as Company Lays Out Upbeat Outlook
| Associated Press
A boost in construction equipment sales drove profit higher for Deere & Co. in the fourth quarter, but the results fell short of Wall Street expectations.
10 Things to Do This Thanksgiving Weekend: Nov. 22-25
| Kristen Thometz
A Thanksgiving Day parade, holiday markets, sing-a-longs and sleights of hand usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
Domestic Disputes Can Lead to Workplace Violence Against Women
| Paris Schutz
Dr. Tamara O’Neal was shot and killed Monday after her ex-fiance confronted her outside of Mercy Hospital. But when it comes to workplace violence against women, O’Neal’s story is not uncommon.
Trump Declares Support for Saudis Despite Khashoggi Murder
| Paul Caine
President Donald Trump says the U.S. stands with Saudi Arabia despite the murder of a Washington Post journalist by agents of the Saudi regime.
Running and Life Lessons with ‘Wait, Wait’ Host Peter Sagal
| Alexandra Silets
You may know him as the funny and irreverent host of NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” But did you know Peter Sagal is also an avid runner? We get the rundown on “The Incomplete Book of Running.”
Bob Dylan’s Legendary Electric Guitar on Display in Chicago
| Evan Garcia
The first electric guitar Bob Dylan played live in performance – a legendary instrument which sparked uproar – is on public display at the American Writers Museum. We go for a look.
Monsters, Musicals and Must-Sees at the Theater
| Nicole Cardos
From monsters and novelists to a depressed construction foreman in Belarus, the Chicago theater scene is as varied as ever. Hedy Weiss joins us with reviews and recommendations.
Mary Zimmerman Puts English Panto Twist on Heartbreaking Tale
| Hedy Weiss
To bring Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” to vivid life, director Mary Zimmerman looks to the English pantomime tradition, and draws on her ingenious, visually stunning storytelling tricks.
City Mourns Officer, Staff Killed in Mercy Hospital Shooting
| Matt Masterson
A mass shooting at a Chicago hospital left four people dead, including an emergency room doctor, a police officer with less than two years on the force and a first-year pharmaceutical resident.
Mercy Hospital Gunman Was Kicked Out of Chicago Firefighting Academy
| Associated Press
The gunman who fatally shot his ex-fiancee outside a Chicago hospital before killing two people inside the building was once kicked out of the city’s firefighting academy after threatening a female cadet, officials said Tuesday.
Report: Slime, Other Popular Toys Pose Threats to Children
| Kristen Thometz
With the holiday season upon us, consumer advocates are warning shoppers about hazardous toys. Find out which products to leave on the shelf.
Air Pollution Reduces Life Expectancy by Nearly 2 Years, Study Finds
| Alex Ruppenthal
Air pollution’s impact on life expectancy exceeds that of communicable diseases such as AIDS, cigarette smoking and even war, according to a first-of-its-kind study from the University of Chicago.
Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to Andy Frain Ushers?
| Erica Gunderson
For many years, sports fans in Chicago were welcomed to games by clean-cut and friendly Andy Frain ushers. The story of the man behind the house of ushers in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Chicago Police Officer Among 4 Killed in Mercy Hospital Shooting
| Amanda Vinicky
A Chicago police officer, two female medical professionals and the suspected gunman are dead following a shooting rampage Monday afternoon at Mercy Hospital on the city’s Near South Side.
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