New laws take effect at the start of the new year. One-on-one with the city's public health commissioner. A report on public transit ridership during the pandemic. Our Spotlight Politics and more.
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John Madden, Hall of Fame Coach and Broadcaster, Dies at 85
Dec 29, 2021 | Associated Press
Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.
Spotlight Politics: CDC Director Explains Altered Isolation Guidelines
Dec 29, 2021 | Marissa Nelson
COVID-19 is surging across the country and here in Illinois as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention faces criticisms for changing its isolation guidelines. Our Spotlight Politics team has that and more.
How COVID-19 Has Impacted CTA Ridership
Dec 29, 2021 | Blair Paddock
In Chicago, neighborhoods with higher shares of residents of color retained far more ridership than predominantly white communities—and that trend was similar in other cities.
Chicago’s Top Doctor On How to Prepare for a Winter COVID-19 Surge
Dec 29, 2021 | Leslie Hurtado
Officials are urging the public to get vaccinated and get tested — but many people are reporting challenges in finding tests.
New COVID-19 Cases in US Soar to Highest Levels on Record
Dec 29, 2021 | Associated Press
The fast-spreading mutant version of the virus has cast a pall over Christmas and New Year’s, forcing communities to scale back or call off their festivities just weeks after it seemed as if Americans were about to enjoy an almost normal holiday season.
Indonesia to Let Boeing 737 Max Fly Again After 2018 Crash
Dec 29, 2021 | Associated Press
The Transportation Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the aircraft will be permitted to fly in Indonesia, but only after airlines carry out airworthiness directives.
Candace Parker Voted AP Female Athlete of Year for 2nd Time
Dec 29, 2021 | Associated Press
Candace Parker helped the Chicago Sky win the franchise’s first WNBA championship and capped off 2021 by being named The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year for a second time.
December 28, 2021 - Full Show
Dec 28, 2021 | WTTW News
Confusion surrounds the CPS return to school COVID-19 testing protocols. Restaurants push back against the vaccine mandate. COVID-19 cases explode in jails. And inside the life of photographer Vivian Maier.
New Book Reveals Secrets of the Chicago Nanny Who Was a World-Class Photographer
Dec 28, 2021 | Marc Vitali
There has always been an air of mystery surrounding the life of Vivian Maier. Maier, was a North Shore nanny who quietly pursued another endeavor – in her spare time she took extraordinary photographs. Author Ann Marks joins us.
Cook County Chief Judge Will Now Impose Vaccine Mandate for Employees
Dec 28, 2021 | Blair Paddock
Chief Judge Timothy Evans announced Tuesday that his office — which covers the courts and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center — will impose COVID vaccine mandates. This after the Chief Judge was criticized for previously not mandating the vaccine for all employees.
Chicago Restaurant Owners Ask for More Time Before Requiring Proof of Vaccines
Dec 28, 2021 | Acacia Hernandez
Some Chicago restaurant owners are asking for more time before the city’s proof of vaccine requirement takes effect at local restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues Jan. 3. A coalition of about 30 restaurants is saying there hasn’t been enough time to adjust operations amid the holidays.
Stocks End Mixed, Breaking 4-Day Winning Streak for S&P 500
Dec 28, 2021 | Associated Press
Stock indexes are mixed on Wall Street in afternoon trading Tuesday, placing the market within striking distance of another record high as investors close out their positions for 2021.
Local Business Highlights Chicago Art Scene Through Custom Framing
Dec 28, 2021 | Angel Idowu
For the last 40 years, a family business has been committed to preserving Chicago’s art scene, whether it be through engraving pieces or framing them. Now they’ve taken a turn in how they’re enhancing artwork through a custom framing process.
CPS ‘Strongly’ Encouraging Students, Staff to Get COVID Test Before Coming Back to Class Next Week
Dec 28, 2021 | Matt Masterson
“By getting tested before returning from break, we can have a successful and healthy start to the new year,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a statement.
US Move to Shorten COVID-19 Isolation Stirs Confusion, Doubt
Dec 28, 2021 | Associated Press
The guidance has raised questions about how it was crafted and why it was changed now, in the middle of another wintertime spike in cases, this one driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.
Chicago Sets New Mark For Latest First Snowfall of Season
Dec 28, 2021 | Matt Masterson
The National Weather Service on Tuesday said that as of 12:10 p.m., one-tenth of an inch of snow had been recorded at O’Hare Airport — Chicago’s official weather site — making the first measurable snowfall in 287 days.
State Legislatures in US Poised to Act on Abortion Rights
Dec 28, 2021 | Associated Press
State legislatures across the country will be responding to the possibility of seismic change to the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion across the U.S.
Local Woman Reconnects With Departed Father Through Rediscovered Photos
Dec 27, 2021 | Erica Gunderson
Local television producer and writer Joan Tortorici Ruppert lost her father as a young child. But through a collection of rediscovered photo negatives, she’s getting to know who he was before he was her father and getting a glimpse into Chicago history too.
December 27, 2021 - Full Show
Dec 27, 2021 | WTTW News
Spiking omicron cases and major headaches with air travel. The region approaches a record snow drought. A halt on student debt payments. And remembering the late Lincoln Park Zoo chief Lester Fisher.
Pause on Student Loan Payments is Extended Through May 1
Dec 27, 2021 | Associated Press
President Joe Biden said financial recovery from the pandemic will take longer than job recovery, especially for those with student loans.
Wintry Forecast Puts Quest for Snow-Free Record in Jeopardy
Dec 27, 2021 | Patty Wetli
The National Weather Service is forecasting a "burst of wet snow" on Tuesday and a chance of light snow on Wednesday, which could bring Chicago's snow-free streak to an end.
Flight Cancellations Continue Due to Bad Weather, Sick Crews
Dec 27, 2021 | Associated Press
Flight cancellations that disrupted holiday travel stretched into Monday, with major U.S. airlines each canceling dozens of flights.
‘Delta and Omicron Are Coming to Your Party’: Officials Plead With Illinoisans To Get Vaccinated, Mask Up
Dec 27, 2021 | Patty Wetli
With cases of COVID-19 skyrocketing and hospitalizations surging in Illinois, officials are pleading with unvaccinated residents to change their minds about receiving shots.
While Plagued by Sound Problems, Dance Became the Most Audible Element in Music Theater Works’ ‘Billy Elliot’
Dec 27, 2021 | Hedy Weiss
From almost the very first note it was apparent that something was very wrong with the sound system and miking, and much of the dialogue and singing, all along the way, was either inaudible or garbled. In fact, the only clear sound came from the orchestra, seated in the pit and led by Michael McBride.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Will Be Chicago’s Largest Ever. Is That a Good Idea?
Dec 27, 2021 | Patty Wetli
Chicago will ring in 2022 with a 1.5-mile-long fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, the largest in the city’s history, officials announced.