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Donald Trump’s Strike on Alleged Venezuelan Drug Boat Raises Legal Questions About His Use of Military Power

A recent strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat is raising stark questions about just how far President Donald Trump intends to wield his power over the U.S. military without a robust check.

Illinois Native Dick Van Dyke Turns 100 in December. Fans Can Celebrate at the Movies

Movie theaters across the country are pulling out the stops for Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday in December. A new documentary about the song and dance man’s life, “Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration,” will be in theaters over his birthday weekend in December.

Chicago-Founded Potbelly Being Acquired by Gas Station and Convenience Chain for $566 Million

Potbelly, which was founded in Chicago in 1977, has 445 restaurants across the U.S. The company said the deal with RaceTrac will help it reach its goal of quadrupling in size to 2,000 locations. Potbelly stores are both company- and franchise-owned.

New Music Festival Sound & Gravity Leads a Packed Slate of Must-See Chicago Concerts This Week

Local Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 10-16

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

The Number of Times CPD Officers Pointed Their Guns at People Increased 44% from 2022 to 2024: Data

Chicago Police Department officers pointed a gun at a person, on average, more than 11 times every day in 2024, according to an CPD annual report on officers’ use of force.

Sept. 9, 2025 - Full Show

New insight into how Chicagoans could react if National Guard troops are deployed here. And what federal changes to vaccine guidelines could mean for your health.

How Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine in Illinois? State to Make Its Own Recommendations as FDA Limits Eligibility

The latest COVID-19 vaccines were approved for people who are 65 and older or have certain health conditions. But medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics — and some states — are breaking from the federal guidelines by expanding their recommendations.

Trump Taking US ‘Down a Dark Road,’ Says UChicago Political Violence Expert

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s launch of “Operation Midway Blitz” this week is expected to ramp up the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Chicago.

Ex-Northwestern Leader Henry Bienen Named University’s Interim President

The Evanston university on Tuesday announced that Bienen will begin serving as its interim president beginning Sept. 16.

Republican Darren Bailey to Run for Governor Again in Illinois, Sources Confirm

The former state senator and farmer from Clay County would become the highest-profile Republican to enter the race, having lost the 2022 campaign against Gov. JB Pritzker and a close primary race in 2024 against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost for a downstate congressional seat.

Prairie in a Pot: Chicago Plant Scientist Tackles Challenge of Native Gardening on an Urban Balcony

Jeremie Fant, director of conservation at Chicago Botanic Garden, has spent 15 years experimenting with growing native plants in containers on his 10-foot by 5-foot Chicago condo balcony.

P. Scott Neville Selected as Next Chief Justice of Illinois Supreme Court

Neville, who has served on the high court for the past seven years, will take over for current Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis beginning in October. He’ll become the second Black chief justice in Illinois history.

Staff Shakeup at Fermilab and Argonne as Buyouts Follow Budgeted Funding Drop, Federal Research Shift

Employees at Fermilab in Batavia and Argonne in Lemont were recently offered voluntary separation packages. The move comes as the Department of Energy recommends funding for the local national labs be reduced by almost $240 million for the next fiscal year, and focuses on new research priorities.

Sept. 8, 2025 - Full Show

Local Congress members react to ICE’s latest move in Chicago. What to expect from the Bears this season. And the iconic Uptown Theatre turns 100.

Illinois Members of Congress on New ICE Activity, Violence Prevention and Public Safety

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is starting Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago. The agency said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation is targeting “criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago.”

James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on What’s in Store for the Chicago Bears and Their New Head Coach

The Chicago Bears enter a new era Monday in a highly anticipated matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears are playing with a few major changes this season. Namely, new leadership.

Long-Shuttered Uptown Theatre Marks Centennial With New Book, Renewed Momentum for Restoration

Chicago’s landmark Uptown Theatre opened its doors in August 1925 with much fanfare. Like a lot of 100-year-olds, the building’s got some aches and pains — but it’s also got a dedicated community hoping to see the long-vacant movie palace restored and brought back to life.

House Democrats Release Suggestive Letter to Jeffrey Epstein Purportedly Signed by Donald Trump, Which He Denies

The letter was included as part of a 2003 album compiled for alleged sex trafficker Epstein’s birthday. The president has denied having anything to do with it. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee received a copy of the birthday album on Monday as part of a batch of documents from Epstein’s estate.

Feds Tout New Immigration Operation in Illinois as Communities Await ICE Raids

Homeland Security officials on Monday said they intend to target “criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois” in a new immigration operation after an Illinois woman was killed in a drunk driving crash allegedly involving an undocumented immigrant early this year.

2025 Chicago Festival Guide

Get ready for fun with this Chicago festival guide to neighborhood street fests, art shows, outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations and summer events of all sizes across Chicago and the suburbs.

Ahead of Possible Chicago Raids, Supreme Court Lifts Restrictions on LA Immigration Stops Set After Agents Swept Up US Citizens

The conservative majority lifted a restraining order from a judge who found that “roving patrols” were conducting indiscriminate stops in and around LA. The order had barred immigration agents from stopping people solely based on their race, language, job or location.

6 Charged in Alleged Smash-and-Grab Burglary at Michigan Avenue Rolex Store

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office announced the charges against the six adults, who were arrested Friday after allegedly leading authorities on a chase from the store down Lake Shore Drive and the Dan Ryan Expressway before they ultimately crashed.

Republicans in Congress Are Eager for Donald Trump to Expand His Use of the Military on US Soil

President Donald Trump is swiftly implementing his vision of the military as an all-powerful tool for his policy goals. It’s ground that presidents have hardly ever crossed outside of times of war, and experts say it’s remaking the role of the most powerful military in the world and its relationship with the American public.

Potential ICE Raids, National Guard Intervention Poses Challenges for Chicago Police on the Ground

For the Chicago Police Department, the challenge is acute. The force must preserve public safety in a city already under strain while avoiding the appearance of working hand-in-hand with federal immigration authorities, a stance that could erode community trust and ignite new protests.

Cost to Settle, Defend Lawsuits Accusing CPD Officers of Misconduct During 2020 Unrest Tops $10.8M: Analysis

Chicago taxpayers paid $6.3 million to settle 54 lawsuits, according to a WTTW analysis of city records. An additional $4.5 million went to pay private lawyers to defend the conduct of CPD officers named in those lawsuits.

Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day Celebrations Shadowed by Donald Trump’s Threats

This year the typically joyful period coincides with Trump’s threats to add Chicago to the list of other Democratic-led cities he has targeted for expanded federal enforcement. His administration has said it will step up immigration enforcement in Chicago
 

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