The Chicago International Puppet Festival returns for 10 days, and Thursday is opening night. Blair Thomas, the behind-the-scenes puppet master, pulled a lot of strings to keep this festival on the calendar.
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Tracking Biden’s 1st-Year Progress Delivering on Promises
Jan 20, 2022 | Associated Press
President Joe Biden took action on a number of his key campaign promises, from rebuilding U.S. alliances globally to distributing vaccines across America and the world. But others remain works in progress or dependent on Congress to address. That’s particularly true of his promises to reform the nation’s immigration system.
Voting Bill Collapses, Democrats Unable to Change Filibuster
Jan 20, 2022 | Associated Press
Despite a day of piercing debate and speeches that often carried echoes of an earlier era when the Senate filibuster was deployed by opponents of civil rights legislation, Democrats could not persuade holdout senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia to change the Senate procedures on this one bill and allow a simple majority to advance it.
A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words on Lake Effect Snow
Jan 20, 2022 | Patty Wetli
A couple of Indiana highway cameras caught lake effect snow in action Thursday morning, offering a picture-perfect snapshot of one of the region’s quirkier weather phenomena.
Chicago Measure to Enforce State Law Designed to Reduce Sugary Drinks for Kids Advances
Jan 20, 2022 | Heather Cherone
The state law, which applies in Chicago as well as the rest of the state, took effect Jan. 1.
Suspect in Shootout With U of C Officer Wanted ‘Suicide by Cop’: Prosecutors
Jan 20, 2022 | Matt Masterson
Rhysheen Wilson, 27, was ordered held on $2 million during a bond hearing Thursday following his arrest on charges of attempted murder of a peace officer, aggravated discharge of a weapon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
At 113, NAACP Evolves for Relevance on Racial Justice Agenda
Jan 20, 2022 | Associated Press
The nation’s oldest civil rights organization’s birthday next month comes as it undergoes a restructuring to reflect a membership and leadership that is trending younger, to people in their mid-30s. As a result, it is adding endeavors like producing TV streaming content for CBS.
US Researchers Test Pig-to-Human Transplant in Donated Body
Jan 20, 2022 | Associated Press
Surgeons in Alabama transplanted a pig’s kidneys into a brain-dead man — a step-by-step rehearsal for an operation they hope to try in living patients possibly later this year.
2 Young Girls Safe After SUV They Were in Was Stolen, Crashed on Northwest Side
Jan 20, 2022 | Matt Masterson
According to Chicago police, the incident began just after 5 a.m. Thursday in the 5600 block of North Sacramento Avenue.
Kate Sullivan Takes Guests to Favorite Restaurants on New Season of ‘To Dine For’
Jan 19, 2022 | Blair Paddock
This season of “To Dine For with Kate Sullivan” takes viewers on a journey with successful, and sometimes prominent guests sharing stories over their favorite foods.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot Says COVID-19 Felt Like ‘Bad Cold,’ Heads to Washington, D.C.
Jan 19, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday that she has fully recovered from her bout with COVID-19, and said it felt like “a bad cold.”
When It Comes to COVID-19 and Mental Health, ‘Kids Very Rarely Do Better Than Their Parents’
Jan 19, 2022 | CNN
New research published Tuesday in JAMA Pediatrics that looked at children and adolescents from 11 countries found kids experienced both mental and physical health problems — anxiety, depression, lower physical activity, food insecurity and school disengagement — linked to school closures and social lockdowns.
AT&T, Verizon Pause Some New 5G After Airlines Raise Alarm
Jan 19, 2022 | Associated Press
The decision from the companies came Tuesday as the Biden administration intervened to broker tried to broker a settlement between the telecoms and airlines over a rollout of new 5G service.
Stop Politicians from Using Campaign Cash to Defend Themselves from Corruption Probes, Illinois Supreme Court Urged
Jan 19, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) looked on as his attorney Adolfo Mondragon urged the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn decisions by the Illinois State Board of Elections as well as lower courts to toss out his complaint against his predecessor, disgraced former Ald. Danny Solis.
January 19, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 19, 2022 | WTTW News
Invasive Carp Barrier, Chicago Shoreline Protection Big Winners in Army Corps Funding Bonanza
Jan 19, 2022 | Patty Wetli
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is flush with billions of dollars following passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Some of those funds are being funneled toward critical projects in the Chicago region, the Corps announced Wednesday.
Raw Senate Debate in Fight to End Voting Bill Filibuster
Jan 19, 2022 | Associated Press
Despite his late push, Biden has been unable to persuade two holdout Democrats, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, to change Senate rules so the party can overpower a Republican filibuster that is blocking the voting bill.
Chicago Is Updating Its Climate Action Plan. Here’s How To Chime In
Jan 19, 2022 | Patty Wetli
Upcoming virtual town halls will give Chicagoans a chance to learn about and weigh in on plans to update the city’s climate action plan, from emission reduction targets to renewable energy goals.
Cook County Judge Overheard Disparaging Attorney Temporarily Pulled From Bench
Jan 19, 2022 | Matt Masterson
Judge William Raines has been placed on “restricted duties or duties other than judicial duties” and must receive sensitivity training and gender bias counseling, according to an order from Chief Judge Timothy Evans.
CPS to Adopt Shortened COVID-19 Isolation Time
Jan 19, 2022 | Matt Masterson
More than 14,000 students and staff within Chicago Public Schools are currently either quarantining or in isolation due to COVID-19, but the district will soon be shortening the amount of time those people need to stay home from school.
Chicago Has Passed Peak of Omicron Surge of COVID-19: Top Doc
Jan 19, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Chicago's COVID-19 test positivity peaked at 19.6% on Jan. 1, Arwady said, and hit 12.6% on Tuesday, the lowest rate since Dec. 28, according to city data.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 20-23
Jan 19, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Hundreds of puppets, life-sized dinosaurs, art exhibits and a celebration of winter usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago this weekend.
Biden to Give Away 400 Million N95 Masks Starting Next Week
Jan 19, 2022 | Associated Press
The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand.
Big Voting Bill Faces Defeat as 2 Dems Won’t Stop Filibuster
Jan 18, 2022 | Associated Press
Voting legislation that’s a top priority for Democrats and civil rights leaders seemed headed for defeat as the Senate opened Tuesday, a devastating setback as two holdout Democratic senators refuse to support rule changes to overcome a Republican filibuster.
Utensils No Longer Part of the Deal With Take-Out or Delivery as New Law Goes Into Effect in Chicago
Jan 18, 2022 | Patty Wetli
Forget about napkins and ketchup packets too. On Tuesday, Chicago's single-use foodware ordinance will go into effect, meaning disposable utensils will no longer be included with a take-out or delivery order unless specifically requested by the customer.
Shedd Aquarium Embarks on $500M Transformation
Jan 18, 2022 | Paul Caine
That transformation will be both physical, encompassing major interior renovations to create immersive exhibits, but will also entail a transformation of mission with more educational programming for Chicago school students.