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First Checkup for Lincoln Park Zoo’s Lion Cubs Reveals All 3 Are Male
| Patty Wetli
The cubs, born Jan. 9, received their first health checkups this week, allowing the zoo's veterinary staff to confirm all the youngsters are male.
Look Who’s Eggs-pecting: Bald Eaglet Watch On in Will County
| Patty Wetli
Forest Preserve District staff and volunteers have been keeping a close eye on the nests of two mated pairs of eagles and recently confirmed that at least one of the couples is sitting on eggs.
Feb. 22, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Chicago Teachers Union spending in the mayor’s race raises questions. Digging for solutions to the country’s native seed shortage. And brewing beer with the most important local government agency that nobody knows about.
From Wildfire Recovery to Wetland Conversions, There’s a Growing Pain in Eco-Restoration Projects: Not Enough Native Seed
| Patty Wetli
A new report highlights several supply-and-demand conundrums and makes recommendations for how to increase native seed production.
City Council Members Blast Police Brass for Failing to Fire Cops Tied to Proud Boys, Oath Keepers
| Heather Cherone
Members of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee demanded that the leaders of the Chicago Police Department do more to weed out extremists from the department’s ranks.
Chicago Teachers Union Under Fire From Within for Campaign Spending
| Paris Schutz
The Chicago Teachers Union is under fire from within, and the union has been forced to make changes to its election filings or risk violating state law. The union has been front and center with its support of one of its own, Brandon Johnson, as a candidate for Chicago mayor. The big bucks and election actions are now causing some CTU members to speak out.
How Byproduct From Local Breweries is Helping Clean Our Wastewater
| Nick Blumberg
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District treats stormwater and wastewater for more than 5 million people in Cook County. One of the methods to treat that water is a surprising way to reuse a byproduct from the creation of a very popular beverage: locally brewed beer.
CPS Unveils $76M Plan to Upgrade, Expand Security Cameras at Schools
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools is planning to spend $76 million to expand and upgrade the number of security cameras both inside and outside of district-run schools across the city — a move it says will improve the safety of students and staff.
Photos: Chicago High School Students March to the Polls to Cast Their First Ballots
| Michael Izquierdo
Many students at Kelvyn Park High School became registered and first-time voters as they marched their way to the polls to vote in Chicago’s municipal election.
Chicago Board of Education Approves New CPS Calendar for 2023-24
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved the calendar for the 2023-24 school year after receiving more than 2,500 comments from the public and education stakeholders last month.
Green Book Exhibit Explores Life for Black Motorists During the Jim Crow Era
| Angel Idowu
For nearly 30 years, the Green Book led Black drivers down American roads by outlining restaurants, hotels, safe houses and other safe spaces they could frequent without general fear for their lives.
Early Voting Turnout Nearly Triple What Election Officials Saw in 2019, 2015 Chicago Elections
| Eunice Alpasan
“The steady amount of voting that we’ve seen over the last three weeks really suggests that we’re going to have a high turnout for Election Day,” said Max Bever, director of public information at the Chicago Board of Elections.
Feb. 21, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Politicians clash over benefits to cops disabled by COVID-19. With Election Day a week away, a look at the role of political funds in Chicago’s election. And remembering the Green Book for Black travelers.
New Estimate Says US Could Face Debt Default by Early June
| Associated Press
The Bipartisan Policy Center, which forecasts the approximate “X-date” when the government will no longer be able to meet its financial obligations on time, said the U.S. will reach its statutory debt limit as soon as the summer or early fall of 2023.
Heavy Rains and High Winds to Deliver One-Two Weather Punch Wednesday
| Patty Wetli
Parts of the Chicago region could get drenched with up to 2 inches of rain Wednesday, with localized flooding likely. High winds will stick around through Thursday.
Mendoza, Lightfoot Clash Over Benefits for Chicago Police Officers Disabled by COVID-19
| Amanda Vinicky
The dispute is over what sort of disability benefits Chicago police officers deserve if they contracted COVID-19 before the vaccine was available.
First Installment of 2022 Cook County Property Tax Bills Arrives
| Heather Cherone
The first installment of property owners’ 2022 tax bills will be due approximately a month later than usual because of delays last year, officials said.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Has High Stakes for Abortion Rights, 2024 Election
| CNN
The departure of a conservative justice, Patience Roggensack, has given liberals an opportunity to seize the majority on a court that could decide on issues such as abortion, redistricting, and voting rights ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
EPA Takes Charge of Cleanup in Toxic Ohio Train Derailment, Orders Company to Pay
| Associated Press
The Environmental Protection Agency told Norfolk Southern to take all available measures to clean up contaminated air and water, and also said the company would be required to reimburse the federal government.
Former Illinois US Rep. Adam Kinzinger to Release Book on GOP Falling Out After Capitol Attack
| Associated Press
“Ever since my final falling-out with the GOP, on the day of the deadly January 6 attack on the Capitol by Donald Trump’s followers, I have wanted to tell the inside story of how my party and also my faith have been hijacked by extremists who represent a real danger to our democracy,” Kinzinger said in a statement.
Ride-Hailing Driver Among 5 People Killed Over Holiday Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department figures, 16 people were shot in 15 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Feb. 20, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Controversial Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Elmhurst amid the contentious Chicago mayor’s race. Another huge overtime haul for CTA workers. And breaking down what hospice care is in light of former President Jimmy Carter’s announcement.
Looking Back on President Jimmy Carter’s 2006 Appearance on ‘Chicago Tonight’
| WTTW News
A look back at former President Jimmy Carter’s 2006 appearance on “Chicago Tonight” with John Callaway.
Explaining What Exactly Hospice Care Means After Former President Jimmy Carter’s Announcement
| Alexandra Silets
What is hospice care and what does it mean that the longest-living American president is foregoing medical intervention?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Appears at ‘Law and Order’ Event in Elmhurst
| Amanda Vinicky
The Chicago area was DeSantis’ third stop after visiting New York and Philadelphia, so the tour will certainly be cast as part of his early exploration of a White House run.
Race Takes Center Stage in Mayoral Election as Lightfoot Blasts Vallas for Using ‘Ultimate Dog Whistle’
| Heather Cherone
In an appearance after casting her ballot, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she believed the Feb. 28 mayoral contest had narrowed to a two-person race between her and former CPS CEO Paul Vallas.
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