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Bob Edwards, Longtime Host of NPR’s ‘Morning Edition,’ Dies at 76

Bob Edwards began his 30-year tenure at NPR in 1974, when the network was still in its infancy. He co-hosted “All Things Considered,” NPR’s evening show, before spearheading “Morning Edition” as its inaugural host in 1979, a position he held until 2004.

Kelvin Kiptum, Who Set the Marathon World Record in Chicago, Dies in Car Crash at Age 24

Kenya’s Kiptum was 24 and one of the most exciting prospects to emerge in road running in years, having broken the world record in only his third appearance in an elite marathon. His record, set at last year’s Chicago Marathon, was ratified by international track federation World Athletics just last week.

Just 29% of Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds Meant to Transform Chicago Have Been Spent: Data

Chicago spent less than $160 million on a host of programs including affordable housing, mental health, violence prevention, youth job programs and help for unhoused Chicagoans through Dec. 31, 2023, according to reports to the federal government.

Insurers Would Be Required to Cover Expanded Infertility Care Under Proposed Illinois Laws

“Some people feel it’s a stigma, and I don’t want people to feel like it’s a stigma,” state Sen. Cristina Castro said. “There’s great treatment out there. We’re just trying to help lower the barrier to that treatment.”

Wealth Disparities by Race Grew During the Pandemic, Despite Income Gains, Report Shows

According to a report from the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the real net worth of white individuals outgrew that of Black and Hispanic individuals by 30 percentage points and 9 percentage points respectively, from the first quarter of 2019 through the second quarter of 2023.

What is Lunar New Year and How is It Celebrated?

On Saturday, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Dragon with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities.

A Splendid Homecoming on Every Count for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Review

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra was back on stage at Orchestra Hall, barely a week after the orchestra’s intense three-week tour to 11 cities in Europe. As always, the musicians were in stellar form.

Week in Review: Supreme Court Weighs Trump Ballot Challenge; A Decision for the Mayor Over Controversial ShotSpotter Contract

The Supreme Court seems likely to keep Trump on Colorado’s ballot, but a local judge lets an Illinois challenge move forward. And the White Sox reveal renderings of a shiny new stadium — with no details on who pays.

Forget Something? Drawings of Proposed White Sox Stadium Leave Nature Out of the Picture, Advocate Says

Any development on the Chicago River should address concerns about climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainability and pollution, advocates say. "It would be an enormous mistake to not take that seriously," said Margaret Frisbie, of Friends of the Chicago River.

Sentencing Date for Convicted Ex-Ald. Ed Burke Pushed Back to June 24

Judge Virginia Kendall initially set his sentencing date for June 19 — which is also the Juneteenth holiday — but on Friday she pushed that date back to June 24.

This Chicago-Area Home Baker Makes Hundreds of Paczki Every Year. Here’s How She Does It

Paczki are fried Polish donuts filled with jam. Residents across Chicago and the Midwest celebrate the donut every year on Fat Tuesday, better known to some as “Paczki Day.”

Former Illinois Lawmaker Taken Into Custody Amid Delays to His Corruption Trial After Sudden Hospitalization

Judge declares Sam McCann out of ‘excuses’

The arrest caps a bizarre week that was supposed to have seen his corruption trial begin and end – until a last-minute hospitalization forced its postponement until Monday. 

Pay $3.25M to Family of Woman Struck, Pinned by Police Car, City Lawyers Recommend

The proposed settlement is set to be considered Wednesday by the City Council’s Finance Committee. If approved, a final vote of the City Council could come as soon as Thursday.

After 80 Families Received Wrong Remains From Downstate Funeral Home, Illinois Lawmakers Propose New Legislation

On Thursday, Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, introduced legislation mandates that a funeral director must place a unique identifier on the deceased’s body, body bag, and any body part, organ, or tissue separated from the deceased to be used in nontransplant organ donation. A director must also maintain chain of custody documentation. 

12-Year-Old Among 2 Girls Charged in String of Chicago Retail Thefts

Chicago police on Friday announced criminal charges against two girls, ages 12 and 17, after they allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a half dozen different stores over the past few weeks and months.

Will Chicago Renew its ShotSpotter Contract? Public Sounds Off on Controversial Technology During Community Hearing

The city’s current contract with SoundThinking — which was previously known as ShotSpotter — expires Feb. 16. Mayor Brandon Johnson made a campaign promise to end the contract, but has not yet indicated whether he’ll renew the deal.

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Feb. 8, 2024 - Full Show

The White Sox are out with dazzling plans for a new stadium. Pushback to a mining proposal on the Southeast Side. And what warm February temperatures could mean for Chicago.

Proposal to Allow Mining in Chicago Raises Environmental, Public Health Concerns on Southeast Side

Developers have a massive underground warehouse dream for the Southeast Side. But for some, the project is potential environmental and public health concern.

What Warm February Temperatures Could Mean for Chicago

Temperatures reached a high of 57 degrees in Chicago on Thursday. As the city experiences an El Nino year, 2024 is seeing temperatures about 1 to 3 degrees above average.

Teamsters Unions Representing 3,800 IDOT Workers Authorize Strike as Negotiations Continue

The eight local unions that authorized strikes are spread throughout Illinois and represent around 3,800 employees, including drivers, highway maintainers and bridge tenders. Negotiations between the state and the unions have lasted more than seven months. 

Barnes & Noble to Open 5 Chicago-Area Stores, Including at Iconic Wicker Park Building

Barnes & Noble plans to open two stores in the city this year, in addition to other locations in suburban Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Criminal Actor to Blame for a Dayslong Cyberattack on Lurie Children’s Hospital, Officials Say

Officials at Lurie Children’s Hospital said Thursday that they are still working with the FBI and other law enforcement but told reporters that a “known criminal threat actor” had accessed the hospital’s network.

Special Counsel: Biden ‘Willfully’ Disclosed Classified Materials, but No Criminal Charges Warranted

The report from special counsel Robert Hur, released Thursday, represents a harshly critical assessment of Biden’s handling of sensitive government materials, but also details the reasons why he should not be charged with the crime.

As Field Museum Covers Native Cultural Items Following New Federal Rules, Some Native Tribes Say Changes Are Long Overdue

“What’s disappointing is that it takes a federal law to push institutions and agencies to comply and to even just create consultation with tribes,” said Eli Suzukovich, director of cultural preservation and compliance for the Office for Research at Northwestern University.

Deadline Approaches for Controversial ShotSpotter Renewal

Supporters say the ShotSpotter system is a useful tool that helps Chicago police officers get to crime scenes faster. But critics say the technology is unreliable and contributes to over policing in communities of color.

Developer Releases Renderings Showing New Riverfront White Sox Stadium at The 78

In the renderings released Thursday night by developer Related Midwest, the new ballpark is pictured along with surrounding new buildings.
 

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