Monday marks not only Martin Luther King Day but in Illinois, it will also recognize the first Muhammad Ali Day. To celebrate, the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition will host a virtual event honoring the boxing legend, featuring speakers including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ali’s daughter Maryum Ali.
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The Last Word on Supporting Diversity in Tech Entrepreneurship
Jan 15, 2022 | Aida Mogos
Tech start-ups often rely on investors to get their business up and running, but tech entrepreneurs of color often don’t get the same amount of funding as their white counterparts. That unequal playing field is what led to the creation of TechRise, a Chicago initiative to support and fund Black and Latino-owned tech companies.
A Night of Sheer Brilliance, Maestro Muti & CSO’s Bravura Musicians Prove Beethoven is Forever New
Jan 15, 2022 | Hedy Weiss
Maestro Riccardo Muti was in stellar form during Thursday night’s concert in Orchestra Hall. He clearly is in love with the indomitable musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and they return that passion with a magnificent combination of sound and fury and absolute beauty.
Major Winter Storm: South Braces for Big Blast of Snow, Ice
Jan 15, 2022 | Associated Press
By Friday, the fast-moving storm had already dropped heavy snow across a large swath of the Midwest, where travel conditions deteriorated and scores of schools closed or moved to online instruction. Iowa was hit the hardest.
A Digital Divide Haunts Schools Adapting to Virus Hurdles
Jan 15, 2022 | Associated Press
As more families pivot back to remote learning amid quarantines and school closures, reliable, consistent access to devices and home internet remains elusive for many students who need them to keep up with their schoolwork.
Give Back to the Land During Cook County Forest Preserves’ MLK Day of Service Events
Jan 15, 2022 | Patty Wetli
In honor of Monday’s Martin Luther King Day of Service, Cook County Forest Preserves is hosting volunteer activities at a number of sites across the forest preserve district, from habitat restoration to litter cleanups.
The Week in Review: CPS Classes Resume, But Tensions Run High
Jan 14, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Chicago Public Schools students are back to in-person learning but tensions still surround the CTU. A new entrant is set to join the Republican candidates in the governor’s race. Mayor Lightfoot gets COVID-19. And the Bears search for a new general manager and head coach.
Lightfoot’s Handling of Botched Anjanette Young Raid Represents ‘Failure’ of Government: Watchdog
Jan 14, 2022 | Heather Cherone
The unreleased report attempts to tell the “full story — thoroughly documented and sourced — of how the city’s government worked to prevent a victim of what was plainly either official misconduct or error from obtaining video proof of the raid on her home, thereby frustrating her efforts to secure redress for the injuries inflicted on her, however unintentionally, by government actors.”
No City Officials Fired or Suspended After Smokestack Implosion: Watchdog
Jan 14, 2022 | Heather Cherone
The first report from interim Inspector General William Marback disclosed that Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration declined to fire an employee of the Chicago Department of Public Health or punish two other employees of the Department of Buildings responsible for approving and overseeing the implosion of the smokestack.
Waukesha Parade Suspect to Stand Trial for Murder
Jan 14, 2022 | Associated Press
A Milwaukee man accused of killing six people and injuring dozens more when he drove an SUV through a suburban Christmas parade must stand trial, a court commissioner ordered Friday.
Goodbye ‘Godsend’: Expiration of Child Tax Credits Hits Home
Jan 14, 2022 | Associated Press
Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, objected to extending the credit out of concern that the money would discourage people from working and that any additional federal spending would fuel inflation that has already climbed to a nearly 40-year high.
As Schools Battle Omicron, Billions of Federal Relief Dollars Remain Unspent
Jan 14, 2022 | CNN
Much of the $190 billion that Congress authorized for schools earlier in the pandemic has yet to be used. In a majority of states, less than 20% of the federal money had been spent by the end of November, according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Trial of Ald. Daley Thompson Set for Feb. 4 on Charges That He Failed to Pay Taxes, Lied to Feds
Jan 14, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Surging COVID-19 cases fueled by the omicron variant will not delay the trial of Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th Ward) on seven charges that he lied to federal bank regulators and filed false tax returns, a judge ruled Friday.
N95, KN95 Masks Can Be Used More Than Once. Here’s How to Extend Their Life
Jan 14, 2022 | Patty Wetli
Though N95 and KN95 masks are treated as disposable, single-use gear in clinical settings, in everyday life they can be reused for extended periods when cared for properly. We’ve got tips.
When Am I Contagious If Infected With Omicron?
Jan 14, 2022 | Associated Press
It’s not yet clear, but some early data suggests people might become contagious sooner than with earlier variants — possibly within a day after infection.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Skokie
Jan 13, 2022 | Acacia Hernandez
We go to Skokie, where some residents are upset about a potential new neighbor coming to town: a car dealer, with an untraditional model for displaying their wares.
January 13, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 13, 2022 | WTTW News
Spotting COVID-19 testing scams. Schools change their rules on COVID-19 quarantining. Live from Skokie. Why opioid deaths among older Americans have soared. And WTTW’s “Wild Travels” are back.
Third Season of ‘Wild Travels’ Debuts Sunday on WTTW
Jan 13, 2022 | Blair Paddock
The show “Wild Travels” is back with a new season premiering this week, and viewers can expect a showcase of eccentric places across the U.S. from pierogi fests to a unicycle football team. We’re joined by the host and the executive producer.
Illinois Schools Reduce COVID-19 Isolation Time from 10 to 5 Days
Jan 13, 2022 | Leslie Hurtado
According to district data from Chicago Public Schools, over 12,818 students are in quarantine, and 2,355 adults are also staying home due to a positive case.
Northwestern Study Finds Opioid Overdose Deaths Soaring for Older Americans
Jan 13, 2022 | Paul Caine
The number of Americans 55 and older who died from an opioid overdose surged 1,886% from a little over 500 deaths in 1999 to more than 10,000 deaths two decades later, according to a new report.
Local Officials Warn About Some Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing Sites
Jan 13, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
City and state officials are advising people to be on the lookout for untrustworthy COVID-19 testing sites. What you should know before walking into a pop-up testing site.
Lightfoot Renews Stalled Push for Plan to Go After Gangs’ Profits as Opponents Mobilize
Jan 13, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot will renew her push for a new city law designed to fight crime by suing gang leaders in civil court on Friday, prompting opponents of the revised proposal to form a coalition determined to convince the City Council to reject the measure they say would target Black and Latino Chicagoans and do nothing to stop violent crime.
Aurora Mayor Plans to Enter Republican Race for Governor on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Sources Say
Jan 13, 2022 | Paris Schutz
Multiple sources tell WTTW News that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is currently planning to announce his candidacy for governor on Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parades to Return in March
Jan 13, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Irish eyes will be smiling in March as all three of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parades are set to return after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Student Loan Company Reaches $1.85B Settlement With Illinois, Other States
Jan 13, 2022 | Matt Masterson
Navient, the second largest student loan servicer in the U.S., agreed Thursday to cancel $1.7 billion in debt owed by more than 66,000 borrowers across the country as part of a multistate lawsuit that accused the company of abusive lending practices.
What’s Up? Garfield Park’s Agave. Its Stalk Is Blowing Past All Expectations
Jan 13, 2022 | Patty Wetli
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.