Stories by Matt Masterson
CTU Reaches Tentative Deal But Won’t Return to Work Thursday
| Matt Masterson
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union won’t head back to school Thursday morning and their strike will last at least one more day after the union’s House of Delegates accepted a tentative agreement with the city, but refused to return to work.
Spotlight Politics: Assessing Political Fallout of Teachers Strike
| Paris Schutz
Who will be the political winners and losers of the Chicago teachers strike? Our politics team digs into that story and more in our weekly roundtable.
Sister Helen Prejean on ‘Dead Man Walking’ at Lyric Opera
| Marc Vitali
It was a moving memoir that became an Oscar-winning film before premiering as an opera in 2000. After more than 60 productions around the world, “Dead Man Walking” is now headed to Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time.
Boeing CEO Faces Another Grilling on Capitol Hill Over Max
| Associated Press
Lawmakers blasted Boeing and peppered its CEO on Wednesday with questions about the design and marketing of the 737 Max, the plane involved in two crashes that killed 346 people.
Ethylene Oxide Ban Narrowly Passes Illinois House
| Amanda Vinicky
The shocking indictment of state Rep. Luis Arroyo has overshadowed the Illinois legislature’s fall veto session. Still, consequential legislation advanced, including a bill that will lead to a prohibition of a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment.
Oriental Institute Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Makeover for Centennial
| Paul Caine
On the South Side of Chicago is a relatively small but academically renowned museum whose founder James Henry Breasted helped rewrite the history of human civilization. We go for a look.
Crain’s Headlines: Beer Giant Moving US Headquarters to Chicago
| WTTW News
Chicago is adding another high-profile corporate headquarters to its roster, though it’s not quite clear what it means for area jobs.
Illinois House Passes Bill Allowing College Athlete Endorsement Deals
| Nick Blumberg
College athletes could soon make money on endorsement deals if a bill in Illinois becomes a law. We explore the debate over changing the rules with former Chicago Tribune sportswriter Fred Mitchell.
Chicago ‘Genius Grant’ Recipient Teaching Course on Urban Sustainability
| Alex Ruppenthal
Emmanuel Pratt will use a South Side community farm he developed as a “living laboratory” to teach students about contemporary sustainability initiatives.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 31-Nov. 3
| Kristen Thometz
A Halloween parade, immersive plays, fried dough and plenty of games usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Leguizamo Blazes His Way into an Often Unexplored Cultural Inheritance
| Hedy Weiss
There is no denying the ferocity of John Leguizamo’s tragicomic jeremiad, his bravura gifts as a terrific physical performer, or his ability to improvise in “Latin History for Morons.”
Police Department Accepts New Recommendations to Boost Homicide Clearance Rate
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says his department has accepted guidance from a Washington D.C.-based research firm offering a “comprehensive assessment of best practices and policies” for solving crimes more quickly.
Internal Document Provides Insight into CTU Bargaining
| Brandis Friedman
An internal Chicago Teachers Union document obtained by WTTW News shows the union would agree to a five-year contract if the mayor agrees to stop blocking the passage of an elected school board bill in Springfield and “getting back our bargaining rights.”
Another No-Show for R. Kelly, This Time in Federal Court
| Matt Masterson
The R&B singer’s attorney said his client has been hobbled by a toe infection and was worried about aggravating the injury by appearing in court for a hearing Wednesday.
Diplomat: Bolton Cautioned Him About Giuliani and Ukraine
| Associated Press
The testimony from Christopher Anderson makes clear that administration officials were concerned about Giuliani’s back-channel involvement in Ukraine policy.
AP-NORC Poll: Halloween Plans, From Candy to Costumed Pets
| Associated Press
The good news for kids this Halloween: They’ll likely come home with a bigger pile of candy than of healthy snacks while out trick-or-treating.
Chicago Teachers Strike Day 9: Negotiations at a Standstill
| Brandis Friedman
Despite a lot of back-and-forth, negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and city negotiators appear to be deadlocked. An update on day nine of the strike from CTU headquarters.
Illinois House Moves to Investigate Indicted Representative
| Amanda Vinicky
The wheels are in motion to remove state Rep. Luis Arroyo from office, a day after the Chicago Democrat was indicated on a federal bribery charge.
Google Claims to Have Achieved ‘Quantum Supremacy’
| Paul Caine
The tech giant says its computer took a problem that a normal supercomputer would take 10,000 years to solve and figured it out in just over three minutes. What might this the brave new world of quantum technology deliver?
Former First Family Touts Latest Design for Obama Presidential Center
| Alexandra Silets
At the Obama Foundation Summit on Tuesday, Barack and Michelle Obama spoke about, among other things, the future of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in on the new design.
In Chicago Speech, Former FBI Director Comey Dishes on President Trump
| Paris Schutz
Former FBI Director James Comey spoke Tuesday in Chicago, a day after the person who fired him, President Donald Trump, visited the city to speak at a conference of police chiefs.
Growing Giant Pumpkins ‘A Tough Hobby’ for Illinois Enthusiasts
| Evan Garcia
Inside a barn about 60 miles southwest of Chicago, six giant pumpkins are hoisted by forklift onto an industrial scale and weighed, one by one, so their growers can claim cash prizes for the heaviest – and bragging rights.
Crain’s Headlines: Business Slowing for Chicago-Based Grubhub
| WTTW News
Shares in Grubhub fell about 40% Tuesday afternoon. The Chicago-based company says the online food-ordering and delivery business is slowing.
The ‘Failure Boost’: How Early Career Letdowns Lead to Future Success
| Alex Ruppenthal
Northwestern researchers studied the careers of young scientists and found that failure early in one’s career leads to greater success in the long term – at least for those who stick with it.
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