Stories by paul caine

Tough Challenges Ahead for Chicago’s Next Top Cop

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she’ll announce her plan to find an interim successor to police Superintendent Eddie Johnson in the coming days. We discuss Johnson’s legacy and the challenges that await the city’s next top cop.

(Ken Teegardin / Flickr)

Lightfoot’s Proposed Real Estate Transfer Tax Hike Gets Pushback

Is the mayor’s plan for a real estate transfer tax hike dead on arrival or could a new so-called win-win compromise supported by some Democratic lawmakers create a path forward?

(Pexels / Pixabay)

Driving While Stoned: Police Still Lack Reliable Test

As the legalization of recreational marijuana approaches, police have no reliable test for whether a person is driving under its influence. What science tells us about marijuana use and safe driving.

(picjumbo_com / Pixabay)

In the Zooniverse, Everyone Can Be a Scientist

In a world in which scientific literacy is often lacking, the online platform Zooniverse.org is doing what it can to encourage “people-powered research.”

Oriental Institute Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Makeover for Centennial

On the South Side of Chicago is a relatively small but academically renowned museum whose founder James Henry Breasted helped rewrite the history of human civilization. We go for a look.

(Courtesy Google)

Google Claims to Have Achieved ‘Quantum Supremacy’

The tech giant says its computer took a problem that a normal supercomputer would take 10,000 years to solve and figured it out in just over three minutes. What might this the brave new world of quantum technology deliver?

Chicago Principals Concerned About Possibility of Long Strike

Two Chicago Public Schools principals talk about the strike from their perspective – and what it will take to pick up the pieces when it eventually ends.

(StartupStockPhotos / Pixabay)

Pressure Mounts on Facebook to Vet Political Content

Should social media companies be responsible for fact-checking content? The debate over free speech on Facebook.

Richard Stengel appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Oct. 22, 2019. (WTTW News)

‘Information Wars’ Author Says US Losing Battle Against Disinformation

A former Time editor and State Department official on fighting for truth in the age of disinformation. Richard Stengel tells us about his new book “Information Wars.”

Chicago’s Old Post Office on Oct. 21, 2019. (WTTW News)

Chicago’s Old Post Office Gets Multimillion-Dollar Makeover

The hulking Old Post Office building that lay empty for the best part of two decades – and that many feared might never be redeveloped – will soon reopen. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in on the landmark.

Time For Winter Prep in The WTTW Garden

With winter right around the corner, home gardeners should harvest whatever fruit and vegetables that remain in their garden as soon as possible. Organic gardener Jeanne Nolan shares tips to get your garden ready for the cold season. 

Lion populations have plummeted in Africa since 1950 as a result of habitat loss and poaching. (Courtesy Susan McConnell)

Chicago Zoological Society Honors Wildlife Conservation Leaders

Colleen and Keith Begg founded an organization that helps maintain the wildlife in the Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique, one of the last remaining strongholds for lions in Africa. 

Scientists Reconstruct Face of Human Ancestor Using Fossilized Bone

How did researchers reconstruct the face of an ancient human ancestor using a fossilized bone? This story and more from the world of science with Neil Shubin.

Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Draws Fire From All Sides

President Donald Trump’s decision to immediately withdraw all U.S. troops from northern Syria has prompted criticism from politicians, military leaders and others. 

(Courtesy of Victor Gensini)

Local Scientists Help Create First Long-Range Tornado Forecasts

Earlier this year, for the first time ever a small team of scientists was able to forecast a severe tornado outbreak almost one month in advance. We speak with Victor Gensini, a key member of that team.

(Martijn / Flickr)

State Sen. Toi Hutchinson Takes on New Role as Illinois’ ‘Cannabis Czar’

She was a driving force behind Illinois’ new marijuana law. Meet the state’s new cannabis regulation oversight officer.

Mars visualization with satellite imagery overlay. (Kevin Gill / Flickr)

Elon Musk Unveils Prototype for Mars Rocket

The SpaceX founder aims to create a fleet of reusable rockets that will make space travel dramatically cheaper and more accessible. But can he turn what has long been science fiction into science fact?

President Donald Trump meets with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the United Nations on Sept. 25, 2019. (WTTW News)

Allies Watch Closely as Trump Impeachment Probe Intensifies

The public has new insight on how President Trump interacts with world leaders behind closed doors. But do his actions amount to an impeachable offense? And how do allies and adversaries overseas view his dealings with Ukraine?

President Donald Trump listens during a multilateral meeting on Venezuela at the InterContinental New York Barclay hotel during the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

Democrats, Republicans React to Launch of Impeachment Inquiry

How is a formal impeachment inquiry likely to play to voters? We ask Tom Bowen of New Chicago Consulting and Jennifer Nevins, a self-described pro-Trump conservative activist.

(PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay)

Banned Books: Librarians Push Back Against Censorship

It’s Banned Books Week, an annual event organized by the Chicago-based American Library Association to highlight the threat of censorship. Find out which books were challenged most in 2018.

Sidney Blumenthal (Credit: Ralph Alswang)

Former Clinton Aide Blumenthal Tackles Lincoln’s Life in 5 Volumes

Sidney Blumenthal, the Chicago native who formerly served as the senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, discusses his political history of Abraham Lincoln, “All the Powers of Earth.”

(Pexels / Pixabay)

FCC Proposes New 3-Digit Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK. But the FCC wants to make that number a whole lot easier to remember – and dial.

Chicago traffic (WTTW News)

Congestion Charge a Tough Sell for ‘Overtaxed’ Chicagoans

Talk of a possible city congestion tax is heating up. On Monday, the CEO of Uber said he supported the idea to help ease Chicago traffic and raise revenue. But how would it work, and could it drive away business?

Diamonds from the Juina area: most of these are super-deep diamonds. (Credit: Graham Pearson)

Rare, Super-Deep Diamonds Reveal Secrets of Early Earth

Scientists in Spain have been analyzing so-called super-deep diamonds as a means to learn more about the formation of the Earth itself. Rabiah Mayas tells us more about that and other stories making science headlines.

John Rogers, who leads the Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics at Northwestern University. (WTTW News)

Northwestern Engineering Team Pioneers New Medical Technologies

The future of medical monitoring is taking shape in a laboratory just north of Chicago. We learn about a new generation of flexible electronics.

Make Salsa and Pico de Gallo with Fresh, Homegrown Ingredients

Organic gardener Jeanne Nolan and chef Nicole Putzel show us what’s possible (and delicious) for local gardeners – even if you don’t have much space.