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Bernie Mac’s Widow Reflects on His Life and Legacy
| Tonia Hill
A decade after the comedian’s death, Bernie Mac’s widow, Rhonda McCullough, looks back on his Chicago roots and successful acting career.
Incendiary ‘Downstate’ Fearlessly Probes Unique Aspect of Crime, Punishment
| Hedy Weiss
The pitch black, profoundly provocative world premiere by Bruce Norris brings to the fore all the arguments and nuances around sexual predators, and will either make you question your opinions on the subject or confirm them.
Leon Lederman, Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist, Dies at 96
| Kristen Thometz
A Nobel laureate, towering figure in the world of physics and one of the founders of Fermilab died Wednesday. Remembering Leon Lederman.
Closing Arguments in Jason Van Dyke Murder Trial Set for Thursday
| Matt Masterson
Jurors heard from more than 40 witness over the past two-plus weeks, including emotional testimony from Jason Van Dyke himself. On Thursday, they’ll hear closing arguments before beginning their deliberations.
Growing Economy: Low Unemployment, Inflation as Fed Raises Interest Rate
| Evan Garcia
President Donald Trump is boasting a booming economy, but will higher interest rates stop it?
Chicago-Area Universities Commit to Closing College Graduation Gaps
| Brandis Friedman
A local education nonprofit unveils an ambitious plan to get first-generation and low-income college students to graduation day.
Chicago’s Only Medicinal Garden Adds Therapeutic Touch to Local Research
| Nicole Cardos
How an urban garden is contributing to research on women’s health. We stop by the Dorothy Bradley Atkins Medicinal Garden at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Jason Van Dyke Takes Witness Stand, Tearfully Recounts Fatal Shooting
| Matt Masterson
The suspended Chicago police officer spent more than an hour on the witness stand Tuesday, recounting how and why he killed teen Laquan McDonald in 2014. Updates from the high-profile murder trial.
Cubs in Do-Or-Die Wild Card Playoff
| Paris Schutz
A live report from Wrigley Field as the Cubs take on the Colorado Rockies.
Divvy Bike Thefts a Vicious Cycle in Chicago
| Erica Gunderson
A rash of crimes committed this summer by people riding the chunky blue bikes has drawn attention to an epidemic of Divvy bike theft. We get the latest from John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago.
New Book ‘Art in Chicago’ an Ambitious Historical Overview
| Marc Vitali
Chicago has been the creative home to many unusual artists over its history. A new book looks at the big picture, from the Great Chicago Fire to the art scene of today.
Storms Prompt Sewage Discharge into Chicago River Near Edgebrook, Lawndale
| Alex Ruppenthal
Overnight storms brought more than 1.5 inches of rain in parts of the Chicago area Monday night, prompting sewage discharges into several local rivers.
Themes of Freedom, Faith and Money Fuse With Brilliant Score in ‘Caroline, or Change’
| Hedy Weiss
With its incendiary production, Firebrand Theatre easily secures its place among the handful of Chicago’s hottest “smaller” musical theater companies. Though there is nothing at all “small” about this formidable assemblage of talent.
Rise Up Against Addiction 5K Seeks to Reduce Shame, Stigma
| Kristen Thometz
“People with this disease are ashamed,” said Gary Mendell, whose son struggled with addiction. He hopes Saturday’s race shows people struggling with addiction they are not alone. “We care about you.”
Prize-Winning Journalist Rukmini Callimachi Risks Her Life Reporting on Islamic State
| Andrea Guthmann
We speak with the prize-winning journalist who began her career in the Chicago area and now risks her life reporting on Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Cubs Squander Division, Prep for Wild Card Matchup
| Paris Schutz
The Chicago Cubs led their division for the majority of this season. But Monday, hopes for a division title were quashed as the rival Milwaukee Brewers came to Wrigley Field and won tiebreaker game number 163.
Why Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia is Saying No to a Mayoral Run
| Paul Caine
Despite forcing a runoff election when he ran against Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2015, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is not planning a second mayoral bid.
South Side Artists of the ‘60s and ‘70s Get Spotlight in 2 Exhibitions
| Marc Vitali
How South Side artists charted new courses for Chicago art – and created a cultural legacy that echoes to this day.
Cardinal Blase Cupich: Sexual Abuse Victims ‘Are the Priority’
| Alexandra Silets
The Catholic Church is struggling to deal with worldwide sex abuse scandals. And within its own walls, the church seems to be at war with itself.
Shopping Online? Pay Up: Out-of-State Retailers Charging Sales Tax
| Evan Garcia
Online shoppers in Illinois are now required to pay the state’s sales tax when making purchases from certain out-of-state retailers.
New Musical ‘Tootsie’ Eyes Gender Roles, But Its Heart Belongs to Show Business
| Hedy Weiss
For all its timely social commentary, “Tootsie” (a gently updated musical version of the hit 1982 film) feels a bit like show business balm – a feel good work for the #MeToo era.
City Solicits Solar Energy Developers for Vacant South, West Side Lots
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago is seeking proposals to install solar panels on 30 acres of previously developed land in Austin, Englewood, West Pullman, Riverdale and South Deering.
Hubbard Street’s Percussion-Driven Experiment Probes Heaven and Hell on Earth
| Hedy Weiss
In its three-part fall season program, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago harkened back to the creation of the universe and the ascent of man before conjuring an apocalyptic vision of where it all went wrong.
CDC Urges Flu Vaccinations After 80,000 Flu-Related Deaths Last Year
| Kristen Thometz
Flu season is right around the corner, and health officials are urging patients to get vaccinated in light of a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that estimates 80,000 Americans died from the flu during the 2017-2018 season.
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