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Chicago Public Library Picks Debut Novel ‘Olga Dies Dreaming’ for 2025 One Book, One Chicago Program

The One Book, One Chicago program brings together residents to read the same book, with book clubs and other related programming held across Chicago Public Library locations citywide.

Florida to Eliminate All Childhood Vaccine Mandates in the State, Officials Say

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo cast current requirements in schools and elsewhere as an “immoral” intrusion on people’s rights bordering on “slavery.”

Trump Assures Polish Leader of a Continued Robust US Military Presence in the Country

President Donald Trump affirmed that the United States will keep a robust military presence in Poland as he had a warm meeting Wednesday with Karol Nawrocki, the new president of the American ally in Europe.

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 3-9

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

Sept. 2, 2025 - Full Show

The latest on troops being deployed to Chicago. And violent crime is down in the city — how the FBI has been helping local law enforcement.

How the FBI Works With Local Law Enforcement to Respond to Violent Crime

Chicago police data shows overall violent crime in the city is down by about 22% in the first half of the year compared to 2024. There have also been 31% fewer homicides and 36% fewer shootings between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31 this year.

Chicago Doctors Voice Concerns Over Turmoil at CDC, Changes to Vaccine Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is experiencing chaos unlike anything ever seen before. Meanwhile, there’s also growing concern in the medical community over changing vaccine guidelines and the cancellation of cutting-edge vaccine research.

Trump Plans to Send Texas National Guard, ‘Armed Military Personnel’ to Chicago: Pritzker

President Donald Trump is preparing to send members of the Texas National Guard as well as “armed military personnel” to Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday.

Eight People Killed by Gunfire Over Labor Day Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 58 total people were shot in 37 separate shootings between Friday and Monday evenings.

New 211 Call Center Opens in Grand Crossing, Connecting Cook County Residents With Resources

The 211 call center will be home to more than 50 full-time staff connecting residents to resources such as housing, access to food and utility assistance. The center, 7247 S. South Chicago Ave., is located at the tech workforce hub Xchange Chicago.

As Interim Chicago Housing Authority CEO Steps Down, Walter Burnett’s Appointment to Lead CHA Remains Stalled

The Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners delayed a vote to formally appoint former Ald. Walter Burnett to lead the agency.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett Defends Overturning Roe v. Wade, Reveals Supreme Court Dynamics in New Book

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a new memoir defends her vote reversing a half century of national abortion rights, declaring that Roe v. Wade usurped the will of the American people and “came at a cost.”

Feds File Lawsuit Targeting Illinois Law That Provides Financial Aid to Undocumented Students

The Department of Justice on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the state itself.

The Defunded Corporation for Public Broadcasting Will Receive One of TV’s Biggest Prizes

The organization, which has helped pay for PBS, NPR, 1,500 local radio and TV stations as well as programs like “Sesame Street” and “Finding Your Roots,” will be awarded the Television Academy’s Governors Award.

Kraft Heinz Undoes Blockbuster Merger After a Decade of Changing Tastes

Chicago-Based Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after a merger of the brands created one of the biggest food manufacturers on the planet.

Donald Trump’s Use of the National Guard During Los Angeles Immigration Protests is Illegal, Federal Judge Says

The order comes after California sued, saying the troops sent to Los Angeles over the summer were violating a law that prohibits military enforcement of domestic laws.

Summer 2025 Wasn’t as Hot as It Seemed, Wrapping Up With Below Normal Temps

Despite a long stretch of hot and humid days early in the month, August as a whole finished with below normal temperatures, according to the Chicago office of the National Weather Service.

Chicago Spent $231.2M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits in 7 Months, Nearly Triple Year’s Budget: Records

Even as the financial toll of decades of police misconduct is likely to grow in the coming months, Chicago exhausted its annual budget of $82.2 million months ago and had spent nearly triple that amount by July 31, according to WTTW News’ analysis.

Mayor Brandon Johnson Signs Executive Order Designed to Protect Residents if Trump Sends National Guard, ICE Strike Team to Chicago

“We do not want to see tanks in our streets,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “We do not want to see families ripped apart. We do not want grandmothers thrown into the back of unmarked vans. We don’t want to see homeless Chicagoans harassed or disappeared by federal agents.”

Week in Review: Trump Takes Aim at Cashless Bail; CPS Pushes Pension Payment

Chicago braces for a wave of immigration agents and National Guard troops. And the Chicago Board of Education backs a budget Mayor Brandon Johnson opposed.

Chicago is in the Trump Administration’s Sights for Its Next Immigration Crackdown

The operation in the country’s third-largest city is expected to last about 30 days and could start as early as Sept. 5, a Department of Homeland Security official told The Associated Press on Friday.

An Invisible Poison: Chicago Communities Push for More Action Around the City’s 400,000 Lead Lines

Chicago has more lead service lines than any other city in the U.S. with more than 400,000 lead water service lines are still active in the city. Local officials are not moving fast enough to address the cascading disparities and environmental injustices, community advocates say.

Chicago Faces $1.15B Budget Shortfall in 2026, $146M Gap in 2025: Johnson

“Chicagoans deserve the truth about the fiscal conditions of our city,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “Our economy does remain resilient, but fiscal discipline is certainly required in this moment.”

Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst Will Not Seek Reelection to Third Term, Sources Tell CNN

 Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst has decided not to seek reelection to a third term, two people familiar with the decision say, and is poised to make an announcement next week.

Chicago Police Oversight Board to Get New Leader as President Steps Down Amid Bid for Congress

Anthony Driver, Jr. is one of at least seven candidates who are running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who has represented Illinois’ 7th Congressional District since 1997.

Donald Trump Suggests More US Cities Need National Guard. Crime Stats Tell a Different Story

President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, New York, Seattle, Baltimore, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, to fight what he says is runaway crime. Yet data shows most violent crime in those places and around the country has declined in recent years.
 

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