Stories by Associated Press
Maine Bars Trump From Ballot as US Supreme Court Weighs State Authority to Block Former President
| Associated Press
The decision follows a ruling earlier this month by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That decision has been stayed until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether Trump is barred by the Civil War-era provision.
World Population Up 75 Million This Year, Topping 8 Billion by Jan. 1
| Associated Press
The growth rate for the United States in the past year was 0.53%, about half the worldwide figure. The U.S. added 1.7 million people and will have a population on New Year's Day of 335.8 million people.
Mayor Johnson Taps New Leaders for OEMC, Department of Housing
| Matt Masterson
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday announced two new appointments, tapping Jose Tirado to serve as OEMC’s new executive director and Lissette Castañeda to serve as commissioner for the Department of Housing.
West Chicago Residents Push Back Against Another Waste Facility That Would Process Trash From Wealthier and Whiter Suburbs
| Medill School of Journalism
West Chicago is currently home to the only waste transfer facility in DuPage County. Now a second one is looking to open and residents are pushing back.
Illinois Basketball Star Terrence Shannon Jr. Charged With Rape in Kansas, Suspended From Team
| Matt Masterson
The university confirmed that the Douglas County District Attorney’s office in Kansas issued an arrest warrant for Shannon on Wednesday. He has since turned himself in to police in Lawrence, Kansas, posted bail and is now returning to Illinois.
With Gas Prices the Lowest They’ve Been in Over 2 Years, Here’s What to Expect in 2024
| Eunice Alpasan
After two years of above-average gas prices, next year is expected to bring relief at the pump for drivers, according to GasBuddy’s annual fuel price outlook report released Thursday.
As Dual Credit Participation Grows in Illinois, Study Shows Gaps Widening
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
A growing number of students are working to earn as many college credits as possible while they are still in high school. But even as the popularity continues to grow for “dual credit” offerings, a new study shows disparities between racial, economic and geographic groups are also widening.
CTA Once Again Offering Free Bus, Train Rides on New Year’s Eve
| Matt Masterson
CTA has announced that it is partnering with Miller Lite to offer free rides, which will be available across the city on both trains and buses from 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.
Mexican Officials Clear Border Camp as US Pressure Mounts to Limit Migrant Crossings
| Associated Press
The United States has given clear signs, including temporarily closing key border rail crossings into Texas, that it wants Mexico to do more to stop migrants hopping freight cars, buses and trucks to the border.
Election Officials See a Range of Threats in 2024, From Hostile Countries to Conspiracy Theorists
| Associated Press
Many of the concerns from four years ago persist: the potential for cyberattacks targeting voter registration systems or websites that report unofficial results, and equipment problems or human errors being amplified by those seeking to undermine confidence in the outcome.
Black-Owned Retail Businesses Look to Build on Holiday Season Momentum
| Emily Soto
There was some good news this year. According to Mastercard Spending Pulse, retail shopping was up about 3% this holiday season compared to last year.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Dec. 27, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
How small business fared this holiday season. Exploring the great outdoors. And meet the founders behind a Black-owned brewery.
Brandon Johnson Joins Mayors of New York and Denver in Calling for Federal Support for Migrants While Pushing Back Against ‘Reckless Approach’ in Texas
| Amanda Vinicky
The comments came during a joint online press conference Wednesday afternoon with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
As Dionne Warwick is Honored by the Kennedy Center, Take a Look Back at Her 1980 ‘Soundstage’ Performance
| WTTW News
Singer, actress and television host Dionne Warwick can add another accomplishment to her legendary career. Warwick is one of the recipients of a Kennedy Center Honors.
3 FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers for Cook County Residents Impacted by September Flash Floods Set to Close
| Eunice Alpasan
A federal disaster declaration was issued last month in Cook County for severe storms and flooding on Sept. 17 and 18, which significantly impacted the south suburbs of Chicago. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is on Jan. 19, 2024.
The New York Times Sues OpenAI and Microsoft for Using News Stories to Train Chatbots
| Associated Press
The Times says that the companies are threatening its livelihood by effectively stealing billions of dollars worth of work by its journalists, in some cases spitting out Times’ material verbatim to people who seek answers from generative artificial intelligence like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Bally’s Casino Now Open 24/7 With Plans to Expand Direct Shuttle Services in Chicago
| Eunice Alpasan
The extended hours come after more than three months since the temporary casino’s grand opening. The hours at the casino were originally from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Indiana Man Rescued After Surviving on Rainwater for 6 Days While Trapped in Crashed Truck Under Bridge
| Associated Press
The 27-year-old man's ordeal ended when two men scouting for fishing spots on Tuesday afternoon noticed the badly damaged vehicle, its white airbag deployed, and reached inside
Public University Unions in Illinois Look to State for Solutions After Year of Higher Education Labor Action
Report finds public university employees paid 21% less than state agency workers in similar jobs
| Andrew Adams — Capitol News Illinois
At public universities across the state, staff and faculty unions have faced a contentious year of negotiations and, in some cases, strikes. Pay has been a major issue on several campuses and the unions are now looking to Springfield for potential reforms to the state’s higher education funding.
Chicago Watchdog Reaches Full Compliance With Consent Decree Obligations
| Matt Masterson
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg on Wednesday said the court overseeing the federal consent decree has found that her office and its public safety section are in “full and effective compliance” with all applicable requirements.
Cook County Jail Detainee Dies While in Custody
| Matt Masterson
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, 33-year-old Michael O’Connor was found unresponsive in his cell in the jail’s Residential Treatment Unit at around 4:30 p.m. Christmas day.
Michigan Supreme Court Will Keep Trump on 2024 Ballot
| Associated Press
The court said Wednesday it will not hear an appeal of a lower court’s ruling from groups seeking to keep Donald Trump from appearing on Michigan's primary election ballot.
Lisa Ann Walter of ‘Abbott Elementary’ on Returning to the Hit Show and Her Love of Stand-Up Comedy
| Angel Idowu
Lisa Ann Walter is set to appear in Rosemont later this month for a series of comedy shows. Ahead of her visit to the Chicago area, she spoke with WTTW News about what it’s been like since getting back to work with her comedic cast, and what’s in store for her upcoming comedy set.
Dec. 26, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
One on one with actress and comedian Lisa Ann Walter. A rare Nativity set at the Art Institute. And a local man creates the Cinnamon Bear’s miniature world of Maybeland.
From Roman Concrete to a Vesuvius-Damaged Scroll, Here’s 6 Historical Mysteries Scientists Finally Cracked in 2023
| CNN
Here are six mysteries about human history that scientists have cracked in 2023. Plus, one that still has researchers scratching their heads.
Week in Review: Burke Convicted in Landmark Trial; Migrants Sent to Chicago on Private Plane
| Blair Paddock
Once powerful Ald. Ed Burke now a convicted criminal. A proposed shelter site on the Far South Side may be contaminated with pollutants. And Texas’ governor flying migrants to Chicago on a private plane.
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