Stories by Matt Masterson
Chicago Law Firm Retained by Las Vegas Shooting Victims
| Matt Masterson
Romanucci & Blandin, a civil practice based in the River North neighborhood, announced Monday it is among a trio of law firms that will represent victims of the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas.
Obama Science Adviser to Give Lecture on Climate Change
| Alex Ruppenthal
President Barack Obama’s science and technology adviser will deliver a lecture on climate change this week in Chicago. John P. Holdren was the longest-serving science adviser in the history of the position.
UIC Creates Health Equity Research Center
| Kristen Thometz
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago will investigate how social determinants like poverty and living in a food desert contribute to the health of marginalized groups.
Jesse Ruiz to Run for Illinois Attorney General: Sources
| Amanda Vinicky
A Latino attorney with connections to high-powered politicians, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is expected join the field of Democrats running for Illinois attorney general.
Chicago Police Ramping Up Rollout of Largest Body Camera Program in US
| Matt Masterson
By the end of this year, the Chicago Police Department believes it will have the nation’s largest collection of officer-worn body cameras in use.
Healing Heels Strives to Empower, Support Women Battling Cancer
| Kristen Thometz
One woman’s “chemo shoes” inspired two friends to create a Chicago-based shoe and apparel company designed to empower women battling cancer.
The Week in Review: Soda Tax Fizzles Out
| Alexandra Silets
The despised soda tax is repealed after just two months. Another property tax hike passes. Mike Ditka denies racial oppression. And the Cubs gear up for another dramatic postseason.
Win or Go Home For Cubs vs. Nationals Game 5
| Paris Schutz
Cubs fans are gathering outside Wrigley Field for Game 5. It’s not the packed scene we’ve seen for the last three nights, but a sizable crowd has congregated on the Wrigley Plaza to watch the game on the big screen.
Making Headlines: ProPublica Illinois Nonprofit Newsroom Launches
| Andrea Guthmann
ProPublica Illinois, the first regional newsroom for the nonprofit website ProPublica, officially launched this week. We speak with Editor-in-Chief Louise Kiernan.
Chicago’s MacArthur Fellows on Joining the ‘Genius’ Club
| Marc Vitali
Two of the 24 professionals named 2017 MacArthur Foundation fellows are from Chicago. We speak with Dawoud Bey and Rami Nashashibi.
‘Word Warrior’ Traces Uncommon Life of Chicago Writer Richard Durham
| Nick Blumberg
Meet author Sonja Williams, who tells the story of a pioneering Chicago writer—and the lives he chronicled—in the book “Word Warrior: Richard Durham, Radio, and Freedom.”
Grammy-Winning Vocalist Catherine Russell Reflects on Musical Memories
| Marc Vitali
As one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of today, she has worked with David Bowie, Steely Dan and Wynton Marsalis. Catherine Russell joins us in conversation and performance.
Exhibit Reveals ‘Undefinable’ Nature of Women’s Health in America
| Kristen Thometz
With the national spotlight on issues surrounding women’s health, a newly opened exhibit explores how a woman’s body is connected with health and wellness.
DOJ to Chicago: Drop ‘Sanctuary City’ Laws or Lose Federal Funding
| Matt Masterson
The Department of Justice issued a “last chance” warning to Chicago, Cook County and others to get in compliance with federal laws or risk losing grant dollars.
Women’s March on Chicago Organizers Planning January 2018 Rally
| Kristen Thometz
Organizers of the Women’s March on Chicago, which drew 250,000 people downtown in January, will mark the one-year anniversary of the event with another march and rally designed to engage and empower voters.
Ameya Pawar Out of the Governor’s Race: What that Means for Democrats
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago Ald. Ameya Pawar is ending his bid for Illinois governor, saying he came too short in the race for cash to have a chance at winning the contest for the Democratic nomination.
Cubs Lose Water-Logged Game 4
| Paris Schutz
The Cubs and Nationals finally got Game 4 in under a steady cold drizzle at Wrigley Field.
Marketing Justice: ‘Law-Mart’ Examines For-Profit Law Schools
| Andrea Guthmann
A new book questions whether for-profit law schools benefit students, or just investors. A discussion with author Riaz Tejani.
Controversial Photo Prompts Demand for Water Department Hearings
| Eddie Arruza
A Chicago alderman demands hearings into the city’s Water Department after a photo surfaced of a noose hanging in a department truck.
In Woodlawn, a Ground-Up Approach to a Healthier, Safer Community
| Brandis Friedman
A group of residents is getting back to its roots—literally—by partnering with the Morton Arboretum to harness the positive impact of trees on everything from the crime rate to the business community.
Attorneys: IDOC Inmate Psychiatric Care in ‘State of Emergency’
| Matt Masterson
Thousands of Illinois inmates are asking a federal judge to take action and help resolve a “human rights disaster” they say is taking place inside state prisons.
Rare Herons Thriving But Keep Falling Out of Their Nests, Zoo Says
| Alex Ruppenthal
The black-crowned night heron is one of the rarest birds in Illinois. Lincoln Park Zoo now hosts a colony of more than 600 herons, but things have getting a bit crowded.
Why Sexual Harassment and Assault Happen, And How to Stop Them
| Nick Blumberg
As accusations mount against Hollywood film executive Harvey Weinstein, a look at sexual harassment and assault.
Cook County Soda Tax Repealed
| Amanda Vinicky
Come December, Cook County shoppers and diners will no longer have to pay a much-reviled tax on sugary drinks after the county board voted Wednesday to repeal it.
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