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Lobbying by Sitting Illinois Lawmakers Under Scrutiny
| Associated Press
A federal bribery charge against an Illinois state legislator has led to questions about whether lawmakers should be allowed to lobby other units of government.
FBI: Cybercrimes on the Rise Because of Sophisticated Scams
| Associated Press
In 2015, $220 million was lost to wire fraud in the United States. In 2019, losses will surpass $1.5 billion, according to WFG National Title Insurance Company.
Trump Impeachment Inquiry Heads to Live TV Coverage
| Associated Press
When the House impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump begins its public phase on Wednesday, people will be watching on screens large and small.
Like January in November: Much of US Braces for Record Lows
| Associated Press
Air from Siberia — yes, Siberia — is heading toward a huge chunk of the United States and it could set record-low temperatures from Texas to New England.
Trump Launches Black Outreach Effort for 2020
| Associated Press
During the 2016 campaign, candidate Donald Trump stood in front of largely white crowds and asked black voters to consider, “What the hell do you have to lose?” Trump offered that same message Friday as he launched a black voters coalition in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Week in Review: Top Cop to Retire, Former LAPD Chief to Step In
| Evan Garcia
Eddie Johnson will make way for interim Superintendent Charlie Beck at the end of the year. Lawmakers talk up lobbying reforms amid a ComEd investigation. And can the Bears salvage their season?
US Officials Identify ‘Strong Culprit’ in Vaping Illnesses
| Associated Press
U.S. health officials announced a breakthrough Friday into the cause of a mysterious outbreak of vaping illnesses, reporting they have a “very strong culprit.”
Facebook is Deleting the Name of Potential Whistleblower
| Associated Press
Facebook says it is deleting the name of the person who has been identified in conservative circles as the whistleblower who triggered a congressional impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s actions.
Facing Lawsuit, Devos Erases Student Loans for 1,500
| Associated Press
Facing a federal lawsuit and mounting criticism, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Friday said she will forgive certain student loans for more than 1,500 borrowers who attended a pair of for-profit colleges that shut down last year, including the Illinois Institute of Art.
Muti and CSO Bring a Touch of Italian Heat to Works of 3 German Romantics
| Hedy Weiss
What happens when a conductor steeped in the Italian tradition takes hold of three works by quite different 19th century German Romantic composers? The answer could be heard as Maestro Riccardo Muti led the CSO in works by Wagner, Brahms and Schumann.
CPS Enrollment Declines By 6,000 Students
| Matt Masterson
Fewer students are enrolled at Chicago Public Schools this year compared to last year, according to figures released by the district Friday. But CPS says the drop-off is “significantly” smaller than declines in recent school years.
Ex-LAPD Top Cop Charlie Beck Named Interim Chicago Police Superintendent
| Matt Masterson
Charlie Beck, who led the Los Angeles Police Department for nearly a decade, has been tabbed to serve as the interim Chicago police superintendent following Eddie Johnson’s retirement at the end of the year.
People Puzzled By Peculiar Texts, and No One Can Say Why
| Associated Press
If you woke up Thursday to a weird text that seemed totally out of place, you aren’t alone. A mysterious wave of missives swept America’s phones overnight, delivering largely unintelligible messages from friends, family and the occasional ex.
Former Interim Police Superintendent Weighs in on Johnson’s Retirement
| Tonia Hill
What lies ahead for Chicago’s next top cop? And what’s the job like? We asked John Escalante, who served as interim Chicago police superintendent following the ouster of Garry McCarthy in 2015.
Chicago Sinfonietta Celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights
| Angel Idowu
The nation’s most diverse orchestra is working to push the boundaries of how classical music is presented by incorporating dance into its next concert.
Tough Challenges Ahead for Chicago’s Next Top Cop
| Paul Caine
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she’ll announce her plan to find an interim successor to police Superintendent Eddie Johnson in the coming days. We discuss Johnson’s legacy and the challenges that await the city’s next top cop.
Bears, Lions Hope to Salvage Seasons in Divisional Showdown
| Crystin Immel
The Chicago Bears (3-5) look to snap a four-game losing streak when they face the Detroit Lions (3-4-1) on Sunday. Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams gives us a preview.
Crain’s Headlines: Bill Daley Lands at Wells Fargo Bank
| WTTW News
The former Chicago mayoral candidate was picked by Wells Fargo’s new CEO, Charles Scharf, to oversee matters including government relations at the scandal-scarred bank.
‘Shared Street’ Model in Uptown is Here to Stay. Will it Be Replicated?
| Nick Blumberg
Four years ago, Argyle Street in Uptown was dramatically reimagined. How the single-level streetscape, now permanent, is working – and whether it can serve as a model in other neighborhoods.
How a Small-Town City Employee Stole Nearly $54M in Public Money
| Nick Blumberg
It’s one of the most outrageous cases of municipal fraud in modern times. We discuss “All the Queen’s Horses” with the documentary’s director, Kelly Richmond Pope.
More Than 2,000 in US Diagnosed in Vaping Illness Outbreak
| Associated Press
New government figures show more than 2,000 people have been diagnosed with vaping illnesses in the still-unsolved U.S. outbreak.
Report: 46 Illinois Hospitals Earn Grade ‘A’ in Patient Safety, 4 Earn ‘D’
| Nicole Cardos
As many as 440,000 people die every year from preventable mistakes in hospitals, according to national nonprofit The Leapfrog Group. How Illinois hospitals are performing.
Top Cop Eddie Johnson Announces Retirement: ‘It’s Time’
Police superintendent will serve through the end of 2019
| Matt Masterson
It’s official: Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson will retire at the end of the year. He made his announcement Thursday flanked by family members and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, celebrating what he says has been a reduction in crime on his watch.
Judge Strikes Down New Trump Rule on Religious Objections
| Associated Press
A federal judge on Wednesday struck down a new Trump administration rule that could open the way for more health care workers to refuse to participate in abortions or other procedures on moral or religious grounds.
Meet Hatty, the Therapy Dog Helping Crime Victims in Cook County
| Amanda Vinicky
The latest member of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office isn’t a human. She’s a dog. We meet the new Labrador retriever, Hatty.
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