The agave’s stalk — which it shoots up before the plant’s once-in-a-lifetime bloom — has already blown away predictions of its top height, and it's still growing. Where it will stop, nobody knows.
Stories by
What’s Up? Garfield Park’s Agave. Its Stalk Is Blowing Past All Expectations
Jan 13, 2022 | Patty Wetli
National Touring Production of ‘Oklahoma!’ Wreaks Havoc on a Musical Theater Classic
Jan 13, 2022 | Hedy Weiss
The production is a sad introduction for new audiences and a spirit-crushing experience for those who’ve seen “Oklahoma!” many times throughout the years.
E-Scooters Set to Return to Chicago’s Streets, But They’ll Be Banned from 606 Trail
Jan 13, 2022 | Heather Cherone
When the scooters return to Chicago's streets in the spring, they'll be banned from the Lakefront Trail, the 606 Trail, the Riverwalk and O'Hare Airport, city officials said.
Supreme Court Halts COVID-19 Vaccine Rule for US Businesses
Jan 13, 2022 | Associated Press
The court's conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees.
Biden Prods Senate, But Sinema Blunts Voting Bill's Chances
Jan 13, 2022 | Associated Press
Since taking control of Congress and the White House last year, Democrats have vowed to counteract a wave of new state laws, inspired by former President Donald Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, that have made it harder to vote. But their efforts have stalled in the narrowly divided Senate.
The Heat Stays On: Earth Hits 6th Warmest Year on Record
Jan 13, 2022 | Associated Press
Earth simmered to the sixth hottest year on record in 2021, according to several newly released temperature measurements.
Biden to Double Free COVID Tests, Add N95s, to Fight Omicron
Jan 13, 2022 | Associated Press
Speaking at the White House Thursday, President Joe Biden acknowledged that, “I know we’re all frustrated as we enter this new year” as virus cases reach new heights. But he insisted that it remains “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”
No Evidence Chicago Ward Map Referendum Will Cost Taxpayers Millions, Despite Claims
Jan 13, 2022 | Heather Cherone
The likelihood that the June 28 primary election ballot will ask voters to decide what Chicago ward map should look like for the first time in 30 years increased this past week as the acrimony between the Black and Latino caucuses over the map escalated.
January 12, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 12, 2022 | WTTW News
Labor peace for the time being at CPS but will it last? Omicron numbers start to plateau. Art Institute workers unionize. The race for governor starts to heat up. And a goldfish goes for a drive.
In Close Vote, Rank-and-File Teachers Approve Safety Deal With Chicago Public Schools
Jan 12, 2022 | Matt Masterson
Rank-and-file CTU members on Wednesday signed off on the deal, two days after the union’s elected delegates voted to suspend a labor action that saw the vast majority of teachers refusing to work in person amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Israeli Researchers Teach a Goldfish to Drive
Jan 12, 2022 | Paul Caine
A man receives the first pig heart transplant. Astronomers witness a star go supernova. Researchers identify a biomarker of depression. And a goldfish goes for a drive.
Workers at Art Institute Museum, School Vote to Unionize
Jan 12, 2022 | Alexandra Silets
Employees at the School of the Art Institute voted to unionize Wednesday, one day after workers at the Art Institute also voted to form a union. It’s the first major museum union in Chicago and will represent more than 200 Art Institute employees including installers, curators, custodians, librarians and retail workers.
Surge in COVID-19 Cases Prompts Gov. Pritzker to Send Rapid Response Teams to Hospitals
Jan 12, 2022 | Heather Cherone
As COVID-19 hospitalizations surge, more than 2,000 health care workers will be sent to hospitals to help care for those who are ill.
How The Pandemic Has Affected Health Care Access for People With Disabilities
Jan 12, 2022 | Blair Paddock
While people with disabilities are at high risk for COVID-19, a report from the National Council on Disability finds they haven’t been prioritized for vaccines in some states.
Bald Eagle on the Mend at Suburban Wildlife Center After Nearly Bleeding to Death From Rat Poison
Jan 12, 2022 | Patty Wetli
Eagles don't eat rat poison, but they do eat the critters that take the bait. The powerful toxins keep blood from clotting, and a recently rescued eagle would have bled to death from a tiny cut, said the veterinarian caring for the bird.
12 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 13-17
Jan 12, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Bull riders, Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations, craft cocktails and a musical parody usher in the weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.
Off-Duty Chicago Police Officer Shoots 3 in Suburban Bowling Alley
Jan 12, 2022 | Matt Masterson
A probationary Chicago police officer who was off duty shot three people at a suburban bowling alley Tuesday night, according to the agency that investigates police shootings.
Kids’ Low COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Called a ‘Gut Punch’
Jan 12, 2022 | Associated Press
As of Tuesday, just over 17% of children ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for the age group became available.
US Inflation Soared 7% in Past Year, the Most Since 1982
Jan 12, 2022 | Associated Press
The Labor Department reported Wednesday that excluding volatile food and gas prices, so-called core prices surged 0.6% from November to December. Measured year over year, core prices jumped 5.5% in December, the fastest such increase since 1991.
As Students Return to Chicago Schools, Tension Remains Between City, Teachers Over Testing
Jan 12, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Efforts to use COVID-19 testing to ensure outbreaks could be stamped out before they catch fire was at the heart of the dispute between school officials and union leaders.
January 11, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 11, 2022 | WTTW News
The latest on CTU labor action as students are set to return Wednesday. Plus, the fight over voting rights. Illinois House speaker's one-year anniversary. And a local radio news anchor signs off after 51 years.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on His First Year
Jan 11, 2022 | Leslie Hurtado
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch reflects on his first year on the job. Welch’s historic win followed Michael Madigan’s decadeslong hold on political power in the Illinois House.
Rank-and-File CTU Members Vote on New COVID-19 Mitigations
Jan 11, 2022 | Marissa Nelson
Rank-and-file members of the Chicago Teachers Union are in the process of voting on the deal reached by the union and the city on new COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said she expects the vote to be complete by the end of the week.
Biden on Voting Rights Passage: ‘I’m Tired of Being Quiet!’
Jan 11, 2022 | Associated Press
Pounding his fist for emphasis, President Joe Biden challenged senators on Tuesday to “stand against voter suppression,” urging them to change Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation that Republicans are blocking from debate and votes.
Local Author’s New Children’s Book Celebrates the Art of a Well-Crafted Limerick
Jan 11, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Bindy Bitterman’s new book “Skiddly Diddly Skat” is a celebration of limerick writing.
Senate Passes Bill to Honor Emmett Till and His Mother
Jan 11, 2022 | Associated Press
Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J. and Richard Burr, R-N.C., introduced the bill to honor Emmett Till and his mother with the highest civilian honor that Congress awards.