Stories by Eunice Alpasan
CTA Brings Out 1920s Vintage Railcars to Celebrate Transit Agency’s 78th Anniversary
| Eunice Alpasan
The 4000-series rail cars that commuters and train enthusiasts rode through the Loop on Wednesday were built in 1923 by the Cincinnati Car Company. As part of the special occasion, some CTA employees and retirees were seen sporting Chicago Rapid Transit Company uniforms, a nod to CTA’s predecessor.
Service Cuts on the Table as Chicago Confronts $1.15B Budget Shortfall, Alderpeople Say
| Blake Thor
A budget forecast for 2026 projects a $1.15 billion deficit for the city, driven by the end of one-time federal pandemic aid and continued uncertainty over pension payments for Chicago Public Schools employees.
Padres Beat the Cubs 3-0 in Game 2 of NL Wild Card Series
| Associated Press
Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, Mason Miller dominated again and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Wednesday, sending their NL Wild Card Series to a decisive third game.
Jane Goodall Speaks on Her Legacy in 2010 ‘Chicago Tonight’ Interview
| WTTW News
Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking scientist and humanitarian famous for studying wild chimpanzees in East Africa has died at age 91. In 2010, Goodall visited “Chicago Tonight.”
Pritzker Expects Trump to ‘Keep the Militarization Going’ Despite Government Shutdown
| Matt Masterson
It’s not yet clear when military troops could be deployed into Illinois, but Gov. JB Pritzker expects President Donald Trump to “keep the militarization going” even after the federal government shut down overnight.
Federal Judge Orders CPD to Ban Gun Union Says is Likely to Misfire
| Heather Cherone
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said officers who have an alternative service weapon that “meets appropriate standards should be required immediately to use that alternative weapon.”
Chicago’s Landscapes Get Their Own ‘Open House’ This Weekend. Tour Historic, Innovative Outdoor Spaces
| Patty Wetli
Chicago is famous for its skyscrapers, but landscape architects have played an equal role in shaping the city. Experts will lead tours of dozens of open spaces Saturday and Sunday.
Jane Goodall, Conservationist Renowned for Chimpanzee Research and Environmental Advocacy, Has Died at 91
| Associated Press
Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy, has died. She was 91.
Pope Intervenes in US Abortion Debate as Durbin Declines Chicago Archdiocese Award
| Associated Press
“Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion but says I am in favor of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life,” Pope Leo XIV said. “Someone who says that ‘I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”
What Happens Now That a Government Shutdown is Underway?
| Associated Press
Washington is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government. Neither side shows any signs of budging.
In Rare Denial of Trump, Supreme Court Lets Lisa Cook Remain as a Federal Reserve Governor for Now
| Associated Press
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Lisa Cook to remain as a Federal Reserve governor for now, declining to act on the Trump administration’s effort to immediately remove her from the central bank.
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Oct. 1-7
| 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.
Sept. 30, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Officials in Broadview are calling out ICE agents, saying they’re putting residents in harm’s way. And a potential government shutdown is just hours away.
‘America’s Test Kitchen’ Hits the Road With Fall Tour, New Cocktail Recipe Book
| Shelby Hawkins
“America’s Test Kitchen” has been at it for 25 years — with hosts trying out different cooking techniques, reviewing kitchen gadgets and perfecting recipes.
Broadview Officials Say ICE Waging ‘Disinformation Campaign’ Amid Protests as Local Officers ‘Shell Shocked’
| Matt Masterson
Mayor Katrina Thompson on Tuesday accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials of waging a “disinformation campaign” amid their continued use of chemical and less-lethal munitions directed at crowds outside the agency’s Broadview processing center.
Democrats Vote Down GOP Funding Bill, Putting Government on Path to Shutdown
| Associated Press
The last shutdown was in President Donald Trump’s first term when he demanded that Congress give him money for his U.S.-Mexico border wall. Trump retreated after 35 days — the longest shutdown ever — amid intensifying airport delays and missed paydays for federal workers.
Officials Break Ground on Quantum Computing Campus, Promise Economic Boom for South Chicago. Neighbors Want That in Writing
| Patty Wetli
Ground was ceremonially broken Tuesday on the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, a development officials say will bring an economic boom to South Chicago. Neighbors would like to get those benefits in writing.
Partnership Aims to Better Address Food Insecurity Among City Colleges Students
| Eunice Alpasan
This fall, free take-home meals at Malcolm X College, Kennedy-King College and Olive-Harvey College will be available for students and their family members.
Suzuki and Kelly Hit Back-to-Back Homers as the Cubs Top the Padres 3-1 in First Playoff Win Since 2017
| Associated Press
Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Tuesday in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series.
New Lawsuits Against Trump’s Immigration Actions in Illinois Continue to Take Shape; Raoul Ready Should Troops Arrive
| Jerry Nowicki — Capitol News Illinois
Illinois cannot yet file suit against the federal government for an apparent plan to send federal troops to Chicago, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said, but if boots hit the ground, President Donald Trump “should expect a legal challenge.”
Harrison Ford Will Receive Conservation Award at Field Museum’s Half-Earth Day in October
| Patty Wetli
Harrison Ford is one of the most famous people on the planet. David Willard has spent a career and his retirement cataloguing dead birds. Both will be recognized as conservation superstars during October’s Half-Earth Day event at the Field Museum.
US Government Is Phasing Out Paper Checks. Here’s What That Means for You
| Associated Press
Nearly 400,000 Social Security and SSI recipients receive their benefits through paper checks.
Donald Trump Alludes to Using Cities Like Chicago as Training Grounds for the Military in Speech to Leaders
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump revealed that he wants to use American cities as training grounds for the armed forces and joined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday in declaring an end to “woke” culture before an unusual gathering of hundreds of top U.S. military officials.
Attention, Swifties. There Are 9 Illinois Target Locations Open at Midnight for Friday’s Big Taylor Swift Vinyl Release
| Patty Wetli
An exclusive vinyl edition of Taylor Swift's new album, "The Life of a Showgirl," will be available at a handful of Illinois' Target stores during a midnight release Friday, including one location in Chicago.
A Student ‘Womb Service’ Works Covertly to Deliver Contraception at DePaul University
| Associated Press
DePaul, a Catholic school in Chicago, prohibits distribution of any kind of birth control on its campus. To get around that, a student group runs a covert contraceptive delivery network.
Chicago Advocates Concerned About Racial Profiling After Supreme Court’s Ruling on Immigration Raids
| Bridgette Adu-Wadier
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court made a move that makes it easier for federal immigration agents to use ethnicity as a factor in deportations.
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