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Advocates Push Back Against Cuts to Gender-Affirming Care for Minors: ‘This Care Is Life-Saving’
| Bridgette Adu-Wadier
Some Chicago hospitals that have been on the forefront of providing gender-affirming care to patients under the age of 19 have pulled back on those services.
Fire at North Park Homeless Encampment Highlights Safety Concerns
| Shelby Hawkins
The encampment along the North Shore Channel is now set to be removed, possibly displacing dozens.
Ryne Sandberg Talks Success With Chicago Cubs in 1984 Interview on WTTW’s ‘Time Out’
| WTTW News
The 1984 season was a magical time for the Chicago Cubs. The team made the post-season for the first time in 39 years — eventually coming up one game short of the World Series.
Skipping Lollapalooza? Check Out These Other Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 30-Aug. 5
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Northwestern University Eliminating 425 Staff Positions Amid Continued Federal Funding Freeze
| Matt Masterson
The university said it is cutting approximately 5% of its staff budget through the elimination of 425 positions across schools and units, though officials said about half of those are currently vacant.
2 Amur Leopards, the ‘Rarest Big Cat in the World,’ Born at Brookfield Zoo
| Patty Wetli
Amur leopards are critically endangered, with fewer than 100 estimated remaining in the wild.
As Ald. Walter Burnett Officially Resigns From City Council, CHA Appointment Appears Stalled
| Heather Cherone
Ald. Walter Burnett’s resignation from the City Council will be official on Thursday, according to a letter he sent to Mayor Brandon Johnson on July 17.
Thunderbirds To Headline Chicago Air & Water Show, Full Lineup Announced
| Patty Wetli
The 66th Chicago Air & Water Show is set for Aug. 16-17 along the lakefront.
Mayor Brandon Johnson Says New Taxes for Big Companies ‘On the Table’ to Help Fill Projected $1.2B Deficit
| Heather Cherone
“It’s on the table,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday at a City Hall news conference. “Everything has to be on the table. Everything has to be on the table.”
Pritzker Signs New Bills Aimed at Improving Gun Safety
| Matt Masterson
Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed the two bills into law, which he said will continue Illinois’ efforts to be among the most aggressive states in combating gun violence.
Government Shutdown Talk Starting Early Ahead of Difficult Funding Fight in Congress This Fall
| Associated Press
The finger-pointing with more than two months to go in the fiscal year indicates the threat of a stoppage is more serious than usual as a Republican-controlled Congress seeks to make good on its policy priorities, often with no support from the other political party.
‘Worst-Case Scenario of Famine’ Is Happening in Gaza, Food Crisis Experts Warn
| Associated Press
The “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip,” the leading international authority on food crises said in a new alert Tuesday, predicting “widespread death” without immediate action.
Police Board President’s Pleas Fail to Break Stalemate Over Serious Police Discipline Cases
| Heather Cherone
There is no sign Chicago Police Board President Kyle Cooper's pleas will break a legal stalemate that has lasted more than 16 months, keeping the system Chicago officials used for 60 years to hold officers accused of the most egregious misconduct in a deep freeze.
Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg Has Died After Battling Cancer
| Associated Press
Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.
July 28, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Chicago’s persistent violent crime numbers finally take a downturn — we talk about why. Plus, a look at the city’s efforts to hold the Chicago Police Department accountable.
With Shootings and Homicides Down in Chicago, Advocates Say There’s Still Work to Be Done
| Abena Bediako
Chicago is seeing a historic drop in violent crime in the first half of the year. According to the Chicago Police Department, homicides and shootings are both down more than 30% in the first six months of the year compared to 2024.
After Fire Breaks Out, Officials Plan to Remove North Park Homeless Encampment
| Crystin Immel
Officials said they are working to identify a cause of the fire that happened along the west bank of the North Shore Channel just south of Peterson Avenue, however fire investigators found multiple gas cans and propane tanks at the site.
Environmental Advocates Rally Against Trump’s Plans to Undermine EPA’s Ability to Fight Climate Change
| Eunice Alpasan
Environmental advocates, elected leaders and workers at the Environmental Protection Agency gathered at Federal Plaza downtown Monday to push back against the president’s reported plans to repeal a key federal determination that allows the EPA to help combat climate change.
Chicago Organizers, Officials Call on ICE to Keep Away From Fiesta del Sol and Other Community Events
| Matt Masterson
Community leaders on Monday demanded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement refrain from targeting neighborhood celebrations in Chicago.
Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Efforts to Defund Planned Parenthood
| Associated Press
A provision in Trump’s tax bill instructed the federal government to end Medicaid payments for one year to abortion providers that received more than $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023, even to those like Planned Parenthood that offer other medical services.
From Benjamin Franklin to Pony Express to Anthrax: How the US Postal Service Shaped a Nation
| Associated Press
The one government agency that still reaches nearly every American daily — undeterred by rain, sleet, snow or even gloom of night — turns 250 on Saturday.
Local Leaders Commemorate Emmett Till’s Birthday, Preservation of Church Building Where Funeral Was Held
| Eunice Alpasan
Community members and leaders, elected officials, and preservation and national monument partners gathered to commemorate the life of Emmett Till, who would’ve been 84 years old Friday.
Week in Review: Johnson Seeks to Curb Smoking on CTA; City Invests in Shelter System
| Shelby Hawkins
Two notorious physicians-turned-fugitives wanted in Chicago live lavishly in Dubai. And Mayor Brandon Johnson tries to take aim at smoking on the CTA.
Chicago Park District Mowed Down a Thriving Natural Area. Mistake? Nope. Just ‘Systemic Failing’ to Communicate
| Patty Wetli
What does the Chicago Park District owe its community of volunteer natural area stewards? Some say a little respect, and maybe a heads up if the district is going to mow down acres of native plants.
4 Piping Plover Chicks Just Landed in Waukegan. Ecologists Released the Captive-Reared Fledglings in Hopes of a New Generation
| Patty Wetli
Just as piping plover season was beginning to wind down, volunteer monitors in Waukegan have been called back into action, with four captive-reared chicks released on a Lake County beach earlier this week.
Education Department Says It Will Release Billions in Remaining Withheld Grant Money for Schools
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s administration had withheld more than $6 billion in funding on July 1, as part of a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House’s priorities.
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