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10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 2-5
| Maya Miller
An after-hours museum party, ice cream for breakfast and Super Bowl parties usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
CTU Delegates Call on CPS Head Claypool to Step Down
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Teachers Union officials issued a vote of no confidence Wednesday night on Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool after claiming he has worked to “dismantle and sabotage” CPS.
School Funding Reform Commission Delivers Report, Legislation TBD
| Brandis Friedman
Another commission, another report on school funding reform. Will lawmakers’ recommendations create a new formula?
Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to Chicago Burger Chain Wimpy’s?
| Erica Gunderson
A viewer wonders what became of a Chicago burger chain that borrowed its name from a cartoon moocher. Geoffrey Baer serves up some hamburger history.
Honoring Chicago Poet Gwendolyn Brooks, Who Broke the Color Barrier
| Evan Garcia
The late Chicago poet Gwendolyn Brooks made history in 1950 as the first African-American author to receive a Pulitzer Prize.
Senate Negotiations on ‘Grand Bargain’ Budget Continue
| Nick Blumberg
What progress have state senators made on negotiating a budget deal, and how will Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan react if it passes?
Report: Outdoor Cats Are Killing Billions of Birds
| Alexandra Silets
A Smithsonian ornithologist says outdoor cats are devastating bird populations.
Northwestern Study Links School Violence to Unemployment Rate
| Matt Masterson
Researchers have discovered a “significant correlation” between decreases in economic opportunities and the number of school shootings reported across the country.
Ta-Nehisi Coates: ‘Chicago is the Capital of Black America’
| Maya Miller
The journalist and author spoke Tuesday night to a crowd of more than 1,000 Northwestern University faculty, staff and students on topics of race, journalism, politics and identity.
Remembering a Forgotten Photographer of Chicago History
| Marc Vitali
One hundred years ago he took unforgettable photos of Chicago in turbulent times. Exploring the life of Jun Fujita, a Japanese immigrant who captured city history.
New City Medical Director to Focus on Mental Health, Addiction
| Kristen Thometz
The Chicago Department of Public Health recently hired a behavioral health medical director to better address substance use disorders and mental health issues in the city. Meet Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar and learn more about her role.
Is It Really Possible to Balance the State Budget Without a Tax Hike?
| Amanda Vinicky
The conservative Illinois Policy Institute unveiled a plan Tuesday that promises to fill Illinois’ $7.1 billion budget hole, without any increase in taxes.
President Trump Announces Neil Gorsuch as Supreme Court Nominee
| Nick Blumberg
President Donald Trump announced Neil Gorsuch as his nominee to replace the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Tuesday night.
Museum Celebrates Black History Month With Annual Art Display
| Maya Miller
Underway at the Museum of Science and Industry is the longest-running exhibition of African-American art in the country. Learn more about the museum’s program and the origins of Black History Month.
How Healthy is Illinois’ Job Market?
| Evan Garcia
We discuss the prognosis for state and local job markets amid changing local and national politics.
DeVos Approved by Senate Committee as Chicago Parents Protest
| Matt Masterson
In a split decision Tuesday morning, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted to approve education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos.
Chicago’s 7-Cent Bag Tax to Start Feb. 1
| Maya Miller
Shopping trips may become additionally taxing for Chicagoans starting in February as the checkout bag tax is set to go into effect on the first of the month.
Behind the Court Case That Could Shut Down State Government
| Amanda Vinicky
State employees are in the middle of a political war on two fronts, both of which could leave workers broke. Both could also spur action that could end Illinois’ 19-month budget impasse by forcing a shutdown.
Local Officials Condemn, Question Trump Travel Ban
| Paris Schutz
The latest from local elected officials on President Donald Trump’s travel ban after a weekend of confusion and protest at O’Hare.
Muslim Civil Rights Group Sues Over Constitutionality of Travel Ban
| Alexandra Silets
The Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a federal lawsuit Monday over the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s executive order, which they say targets Muslims.
Does Trump’s Travel Ban Make Americans Less Safe?
| Paul Caine
The White House pushes back against criticism of President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Is the executive order a big setback for counterterrorism efforts?
Chicago to Give Away 25,000 Reusable ‘ChiBags’ for Start of Bag Tax
| Alex Ruppenthal
Starting Wednesday, customers will pay a 7-cent tax on each paper and plastic bag provided by stores to carry out items in all Chicago retail stores.
Luvvie Ajayi Offers Up Some ‘Act-Right’ in New Book ‘I'm Judging You’
| Nick Blumberg
A Chicago author’s new book lays out the case that we can all do better.
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