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After Months of Worry, ‘Big Little Miracles’ Born Via Ukrainian Surrogate Finally Arrive Home in Highland Park

From Ukraine to Highland Park, twin sisters Ellie and Natanya Sterling have taken their parents on the ride of a lifetime.

Chicago Man Charged With Shoving 28-Year-Old Man Onto Blue Line Tracks, Headbutting Officer

Cory Patterson, 33, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, four counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and one count of misdemeanor battery. A Cook County judge issued him a $2 million D-bond Thursday, meaning he must pay $200,000 to be released from jail.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Names Ex-Obama Adviser Austan Goolsbee as Next Leader

As head of a regional Fed bank, Goolsbee will have a vote on the central bank’s interest rate decisions in 2023. Each year, four of the regional bank presidents rotate into voting positions on the Fed’s rate-setting committee.

Senate Moves to Avert Rail Strike Amid Dire Warnings

The Senate passed a bill to bind rail companies and workers to a proposed settlement that was reached between the rail companies and union leaders in September. That settlement had been rejected by some of the 12 unions involved, creating the possibility of a strike beginning Dec. 9.

Chicago Man, Dubbed ‘#RailMixer’ Online, Charged in Connection to Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

James McNamara, 61, was charged in federal court in Washington D.C. this week with felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, as well as five other misdemeanor charges.

Chicago Tops 630 Homicides, 2,600 Shootings in 2022: Police

Through the end of November, 3,258 people have been shot in the city, according to monthly crime stats from the Chicago Police Department. Of those victims, 637 people were killed.

Nov. 30, 2022 - Full Show

Congress takes action to avert a rail strike. Landmark same-sex marriage bill passes. State lawmakers tweak the SAFE-T Act. Jesús “Chuy” García secures a big endorsement. And why young people might face an epidemic of hearing loss.

Illinois Legislators Work to Tweak SAFE-T Act Provisions Around Pretrial Release

One of Republicans’ major concerns has been that the legal standards were too narrow for determining when a defendant could be kept in jail as they await trial. A Democratic proposal addresses that by expanding the list of crimes for which someone can be denied pretrial release.

About 1.35 Billion Young People Globally At Risk of Hearing Loss Because Of Unsafe Listening Practices: Study

A recent study from BMJ Global Health says as many as 1.35 billion young people ages 12-34 across the globe are engaging in listening practices that could make them susceptible to hearing loss. 

Spotlight Politics: End of an Era at City Hall; Proposed Changes to SAFE-T Act

Proposed changes to the controversial SAFE-T Act that ends cash bail in Illinois. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Operating Engineers Union Backs García, Ensuring Split Among Powerful Labor Groups in Mayor’s Race

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 backed U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García in the Chicago mayor’s race, splitting from the Chicago Teachers Union and Service Employees International Union Local 73.

Lightfoot Hit with Ethics Complaint After Taking $25K Donation from Chicago Fire Owner Involved in Training Facility Land Swap

Mayor Lori Lightfoot should be investigated for accepting a $25,000 contribution to her re-election campaign from Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto, according to a complaint filed by Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward), who is running for re-election to the City Council.

House Votes to Avert Rail Strike, Impose Deal on Unions

The measure passed by a vote of 290-137 and now heads to the Senate. If approved there, it will be signed by President Joe Biden, who urged the Senate to act swiftly.

WHO, CDC: A Record 40 Million Kids Miss Measles Vaccine Dose

In a report issued Wednesday, the WHO and the CDC said millions of children were now susceptible to measles, among the world’s most contagious diseases. In 2021, officials said there were about 9 million measles infections and 128,000 deaths worldwide.

Higher Food Prices Worsen Hunger Crisis This Holiday Season

The government estimates food prices will be up 9.5% to 10.5% this year. And that's squeezing the budgets of many Americans and the food banks that have helped them, especially with the expiration of the massive flow of pandemic relief aid.

Chicago Winter Parking Ban Takes Effect Thursday. What To Know Before You’re Towed

Starting Dec. 1, Chicago’s overnight parking ban takes effect on 107 miles of streets, snow or no snow, from 3-7 a.m. daily through April 1.

Nov. 29, 2022 - Full Show

Sen. Tammy Duckworth joins us to talk about the lame-duck session. The agenda for Springfield’s veto session. Are we on track for a rail worker strike? And Sandra Cisneros on her new collection of poems.

Illinois State Legislators Reach Bipartisan Deal to Pay Off Unemployment Fund Debt

On Tuesday, leaders announced a bipartisan plan, which also has the backing of business and labor, to eliminate the $1.8 billion remainder of that debt, including paying back an interest-incurring federal loan that had been used to shore up the fund.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Same-Sex Marriage Protections, Potential Rail Strike

In an interview, Sen. Tammy Duckworth spoke on a number of legislative issues that U.S. lawmakers are taking up during the lame-duck session before a new Congress is sworn in early next year.

From How Much to Where Money Is Donated, Inflation Could Affect Charitable Giving

Researchers say despite the pandemic and inflation concerns this year, people are still giving their money — but cautiously.

Acclaimed Writer Sandra Cisneros on New Poetry, Chicago Roots

Sandra Cisneros visited her hometown for a reading of her new book at the Field Museum. “Woman Without Shame” is her first published collection of poems in 28 years. 

Landmark Same-Sex Marriage Bill Wins Senate Passage, Headed for Final House Vote

The bill, which would ensure that same-sex and interracial marriages are enshrined in federal law, was approved 61-36 on Tuesday, including support from 12 Republicans. 

Ex-Employee of Cook County Land Bank Authority Charged in Wire Fraud Scheme to Buy, Sell Properties

Mustafaa Saleh, 36, was charged through a criminal information in federal court in Chicago on Tuesday with a single count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Biden ‘Confident’ Rail Strike Will Be Avoided After Congressional Leaders Meeting

A railroad strike could clog supply chains and lead to a spike in prices on necessities such as gasoline and food — dampening an economy that many fear is heading toward a recession. 

Northern Long-Eared Bat, an Illinois Native, Is Newest Addition to U.S. Endangered Species List. Can It Be Saved?

Despite habitat strongholds in places like Illinois, white-nose syndrome continues to decimate the population.

The deadly white-nose syndrome is threatening the northern long-eared bat — one of Illinois’ 13 native bats — with extinction. The race is on to find a cure and protect what’s left of the population.

2 Chicago Men Charged in Fatal Shooting of Girl Killed on 12th Birthday

Cook County prosecutors alleged Malik Parish, 22, Abdul Ali, 20, and a third unknown man were firing shots at rival gang members on the evening of March 1 when an errant bullet struck Nyzireya Moore as she sat inside her mother’s vehicle.
 

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