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3 Chicago Preservation Projects Recognized in Annual Statewide Awards Program

Nine preservation projects in Illinois, including three in Chicago, are being recognized as part of an annual awards program highlighting “exceptional preservation efforts,” the preservation nonprofit Landmarks Illinois announced Wednesday.

First Illinois West Nile Virus Death of 2025 Reported in Cook County

A suburban Cook County resident in their 60s has died from the West Nile virus, the Cook County Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday. The risk of West Nile virus in suburban Cook County remains high, according to the public health agency.

Fired CDC Chief Warns Senators That RFK Jr. Taking Public Health to ‘Very Dangerous Place’

Describing extraordinary turmoil inside the nation’s health agencies, Monarez and former CDC Chief Medical Officer Chief Debra Houry described exchanges in which Kennedy or political advisers rebuffed data supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Donald Trump’s Threat to Target ‘Radical Left’ After Charlie Kirk Killing Raises Fears He’s Trying to Silence Foes

Without establishing any link to last week’s shooting, the Republican president and members of his administration have discussed classifying some groups as domestic terrorists, ordering racketeering investigations and revoking tax-exempt status for progressive nonprofits.

Summer Heat Is Pushing Deeper Into Fall and New Report Says That’s Cause for Concern

According to Climate Central, summer temperatures are extending deeper into fall in more than 90% of major U.S. cities.

Stalemate Over Serious Chicago Police Discipline Cases to Continue as Illinois Supreme Court Weighs Police Union’s Plea to Intervene

An appeals court ruled last month that Chicago police officers accused of serious misconduct have the right to ask an arbitrator — and not the Chicago Police Board — to decide their fate, but those proceedings must take place in public.

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 17-23

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

Sept. 16, 2025 - Full Show

More back-and-forth on whether President Donald Trump plans to send troops to Chicago. And the Federal Reserve considers cutting the interest rate — what you should know.

Chicago Among Major US Cities That Are Slowly Sinking: Study

What was once thought to be a mainly coastal phenomenon is now showing up in most major cities in the U.S. and around the world.

Fed Convenes Meeting With a Governor Newly Appointed by Trump and Another He Wants to Oust

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is widely expected to cut its key rate by a quarter point to about 4.1%, which would be the first reduction since last December.

Key Panel of Illinois Lawmakers Objects to Department of Corrections’ Move to Scan Mail in Prisons

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules objected to the Illinois Department of Corrections’ emergency rule allowing facilities to electronically scan mail. The objection does not stop the department’s emergency rule, which paves the way for IDOC facilities to transition to scanning incarcerated peoples’ mail, instead of giving them physical mail.

FBI Director Kash Patel Clashes With Skeptical Democrats at Contentious Hearing

FBI Director Kash Patel clashed with skeptical Democrats at a contentious Senate oversight hearing Tuesday, defending his record amid criticism that he has politicized the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency and pursued retribution against perceived adversaries of President Donald Trump.

WTTW News Explains: Why is Chicago Sinking?

Attention Chicagoans, brace yourselves because Chicago is sinking. Northwestern University researchers were the first to study underground climate change and its effects on urban infrastructure. They call it a “silent hazard.”

Elizabeth Catlett, a Master Artist With a Message, Gets Her Due at the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is giving the artist her due with a solo show that surveys 75 years of the artist’s work. It is called “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies.”

‘I Think He’s Losing It’: Pritzker Brushes Aside Latest National Guard Threat From Trump

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he can’t take “anything that (Trump) says seriously” and said he thinks Trump is “losing it” following another threat of a military deployment into Chicago.

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Concerned Americans Cannot Distinguish Between Presidents and Kings

Speaking to the New York Law School in Manhattan, the Supreme Court’s senior liberal encouraged people to get involved and lamented what she described as a lack of knowledge about fundamental aspects of American law.

Robert Redford, Oscar-Winning Actor, Director and Indie Movie Patriarch, Dies at 89

Robert Redford, the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89.

Chicago Should Hike Property Taxes Annually to Keep Pace With Inflation, Budget Task Force Recommends

The report offers “89 preliminary options to improve operations, generate new revenue, and pursue strategic opportunities, all while preserving city services” that could add between $1 billion and $2.1 billion to the city’s bottom line.

Sept. 15, 2025 - Full Show

Chicago’s Mexican community celebrates despite an ICE crackdown. And the state of political discourse in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.

College Students on the State of Public Discourse Following Charlie Kirk’s Death

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has spurred public discourse on political violence and the rhetoric that perpetuates it. Reactions to Kirk’s death range from anger and grief to indifference and relief, revealing the longstanding chasm in American political ideology.

Mexican Independence Day Celebrations Continue in Chicago Despite an ICE Crackdown

Despite fears of enhanced immigration enforcement, the Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade took place this weekend without any issues. On Monday, events continued for El Grito, an annual celebration marking Mexico’s independence.

Donald Trump Deploys National Guard to Memphis and Says Chicago Is Next

President Donald Trump on Monday signed an order sending the National Guard into Memphis to combat crime, constituting his latest test of the limits of presidential power by using military force in American cities.

Ragweed vs. Goldenrod: One of Them Makes You Sneeze, the Other is the Bee’s Knees

If your fall allergies have kicked in, ragweed is the likely culprit, but goldenrod often takes the blame.

2 More Developments Designed to Transform Chicago’s Financial District Into a Residential Neighborhood Advance

A final vote on both proposals, which would create 786 new homes, including 237 units of affordable housing, is set for the Sept. 25 City Council meeting.

5 CTA Stations Will Have Narcan Vending Machines Under Pilot Program

The vending machines will be located at the 47th Street Red Line station, Wilson Red and Purple Line station, Jefferson Park Blue Line station, Harlem/Lake Green Line station and the Central Park Pink Line station.

A Framework Deal on TikTok Has Been Reached Between the US and China

The meeting in Madrid is the fourth round of trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials since Trump launched a tariff war on Chinese goods in April.

 

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