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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.

Georgia Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Described Himself as Living in Texas During 2022 Campaign Speech

Georgia Democrats have called for an investigation by state officials into Walker’s residency after CNN’s KFile reported last week that Walker was getting a tax break in Texas intended for a primary residence, possibly running afoul of Texas tax law.

GOP’s New Congressional Committee Leaders Prepare Blitz of Investigations

Republicans won’t have enough votes to advance key legislative priorities if there is no Democratic buy-in, but their oversight of government agencies could put Democrats on the defensive and dampen support for the Biden administration. 

Illinois, Other States Settle With Google and iHeartMedia Over Misleading Ads

The settlements stem from complaints alleging Google paid to have radio personalities endorse and talk about their personal experiences using the Pixel 4, one of the company’s cellphones, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Nov. 28, 2022 - Full Show

The last day for those running for mayor to make it official. Chicago police launch a new gang member tracking system. How many shopping days are left? And two architecture critics ask: who is this city for?

How Will Inflation and Online Holiday Shopping Impact Michigan Avenue and Downtown Retailers?

Online shopping hit record levels last Friday, despite consumers’ concerns about the economy being at the highest level since the 2008 Great Recession.

Crain’s Headlines: Fast-Growing Company Looks to Shed Some Loop Real Estate

One of Chicago’s fastest-growing companies looks to shed half of its headquarter space in the Loop. A glimmer of hope for suburban renters as rent prices rise. And the Wirtz family takes on a project off the ice.

Illinois Study Finds ‘Huge’ Increase in Children Going to ER With Suicidal Thoughts

The study found that visits to the ER with suicidal thoughts increased 59% from 2016-17 to 2019-21. There was a corresponding increase in cases in which suicidal ideation was the principal diagnosis, which rose from 34.6% to 44.3%.

Chicago Architecture Critics Team Up to Highlight Inequities, Explore Solutions

What do you get when you put two of Chicago’s preeminent architecture critics together? A thought-provoking book about the city’s storied architecture.

Indicted Ald. Ed Burke Will Not Run for 15th City Council Term

Burke, 78, faces a November 2023 trial on racketeering, bribery and extortion charges centered on allegations that he repeatedly — and brazenly — used his powerful position at City Hall to force those doing business with the city to hire his private law firm.

Lightfoot, García, Sawyer Make Bids for Chicago Mayor Official By Filing Thousands of Signatures

A total of nine major candidates filed to run for mayor of Chicago. Early voting is set to start Jan. 19, with Election Day set for Feb. 28.

Composing the New by Interweaving the Old at CSO MusicNOW Concert

The exhilarating program featured five works by two composers — bassist Xavier Foley and violinist Mark O’Connor. All were superbly performed by various combinations of the composers, plus musicians drawn from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and guest violinist Maggie O’Connor.

Iranian General Acknowledges Over 300 Dead in Ongoing Unrest

That estimate is considerably lower than the toll reported by Human Rights Activists in Iran, a U.S.-based group that has been closely tracking the protests since they erupted after the Sept. 16 death of a young woman being held by the country’s morality police.

Promontory Point Supporters Push for Hearing in Front of Chicago Landmark Commission

Preservationists are pushing for Promontory Point to be granted Chicago landmark status. Will their case be heard?

6 Killed in Separate Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 31 people were shot in 24 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, including two dead and two others injured at a far South Side gathering early Saturday.

'Gaslighting' is Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year for 2022

Lookups for the word on merriam-webster.com increased 1,740% in 2022 over the year before. But something else happened. There wasn't a single event that drove significant spikes in curiosity, as it usually goes with the chosen word of the year.

COVID-19 Risk Back at ‘Medium’ Across Chicago, Cook County: Federal Officials

Chicago hospitals and health care providers are also coping with sharp increases in flu cases and illness caused by RSV, a respiratory virus, officials said.

Mexican Asylum Seekers Set Their Sights North — On Canada

Due to the relative ease of obtaining asylum in Canada compared to the U.S., visa-free travel between Mexico and Canada, and the threat of violence back home, more than 8,000 Mexican nationals have sought refugee status in 2022.

International Wildlife Conference Boosts Protection for Sharks, Turtles

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known by its initials as CITES, ended Friday in Panama. Along with protections for over 500 species, delegates at the United Nations wildlife conference rejected a proposal to reopen the ivory trade. An ivory ban was enacted in 1989.

New State Voter Fraud Units Finding Few Cases From Midterms

An Associated Press investigation found there was no widespread fraud in Georgia or the five other battleground states where Trump disputed his 2020 loss, and so far there is no indication of that in this year's elections. Certification of the results is going smoothly in most states, with few complaints.

Week in Review: Top Business Stories of the Year

Inflation, gas prices, retail — we take a look at the top business stories of the year and look into our crystal ball for 2023.

More Than 3 Years After Watchdog Warned Chicago Police Gang Databases Were ‘Deeply Flawed,’ New System Poised to Launch Despite Objections

The interim Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to discuss a draft of the policy that would govern the new gang database, dubbed the Criminal Enterprise Information System.

Nov. 23, 2022 - Full Show

Why the majority of Chicago polling places are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Rising rates of RSV, COVID and flu are straining pediatric hospitals. And how local Native Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Spotlight Politics: Lopez Drops Out of Mayoral Race; García Addresses FTX Donations

Ald. Ray Lopez drops out of the mayoral race, but not before launching another stinging attack on incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Analysis Finds Many Chicago Polling Places Not ADA Compliant

An internal analysis from the Chicago Board of Elections found that less than 10% of polling places were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The board says that doesn’t necessarily mean most of those locations are inaccessible.
 

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