At President Biden’s direction, the Pentagon is putting about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to Europe amid rising fears of a possible Russian military move on Ukraine.
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8-Year-Old Girl Among 6 People Killed in Chicago Over The Weekend: Police
Jan 24, 2022 | Matt Masterson
Melissa Ortega, a third-grade student at Emiliano Zapata Academy in Little Village, died Saturday after she was shot in the head by a suspect who Chicago police say was aiming at a 26-year-old man.
US Pharmacies, Health Centers Begin Rollout of Free N95 Masks
Jan 24, 2022 | CNN
The first free N95 masks have started to arrive at U.S. pharmacies, with more on the way in the coming days, as the Biden administration seeks to ramp up access to high-quality masks amid the spread of the highly-transmissible omicron variant.
Justices To Hear Challenge To Race in College Admissions
Jan 24, 2022 | Associated Press
The conservative-dominated Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions, adding affirmative action to major cases on abortion, guns, religion and COVID-19 already on the agenda.
Mysterious Ice Formations Showed Up in Chicago This Week
Jan 24, 2022 | CNN
You’ve heard of blizzards and maybe even the polar vortex, but have you heard of ice pancakes? What about ice bites or ice jams? These unique names sound fascinating but require specific weather conditions.
After Weekend Snowfall, Forecast Calls for Another 2 to 3 Inches During Monday Morning Commute
Jan 23, 2022 | Dan Lambert
As of 6 a.m. Sunday, snowfall totals measured 3.6 inches at Midway Airport, 3.5 inches at O’Hare Airport and 2.8 inches in Romeoville, according to the National Weather Service. Another round of snow is expected Monday morning.
FDA Considers Limiting Authorization of Certain Monoclonal Antibody Treatments for COVID-19
Jan 23, 2022 | CNN
The US Food and Drug Administration could decide in the coming days to take steps to curb the use of antibody treatments produced by Eli Lilly and Regeneron, the source said, pointing to the growing body of evidence that shows their monoclonal therapies don't effectively neutralize the virus’ omicron variant.
US Women’s Olympic Hockey Team Once Again Led by Hilary Knight, Who Grew Up in Lake Forest
Jan 23, 2022 | Associated Press
Hilary Knight, who grew up in north suburban Lake Forest, is making her U.S. women’s hockey record-matching fourth Olympic appearance in which she’s won a gold and two silvers.
New Conservative Target: Race as Factor in COVID Treatment
Jan 23, 2022 | Associated Press
The wave of infections brought on by the omicron variant and a shortage of treatments have focused attention on the policies. Medical experts say the opposition is misleading. Health officials have long said there is a strong case for considering race as one of many risk factors in treatment decisions. And there is no evidence that race alone is being used to decide who gets medicine.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, January 22, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 22, 2022 | WTTW News
A look back, and ahead, as we enter year three of COVID-19. Renewed calls for action over the Little Village smokestack implosion. Helping seniors access resources. And La DePaulia turns two.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, January 22, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 22, 2022 | WTTW News
Reparations on the way for the first 16 Evanston residents selected in its program. Unresolved murder cases from the Civil Rights era get a fresh look. And a new brew for the beer industry.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot Rejects Calls from Little Village Leaders to Release Full Probe of Botched Smokestack Implosion
Jan 22, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not respond to a question from WTTW News about whether she thought it was appropriate for her appointees to reject the inspector general’s recommendation to fire an employee of the Chicago Department of Public Health and punish two other employees of the Department of Buildings responsible for approving and overseeing the implosion of the smokestack.
What Lies Ahead for COVID-19 After Omicron Peak?
Jan 22, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
We’re about to enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with news that the omicron wave has passed its peak in Chicago, a light begins to appear at the end of the tunnel. But public health advocates are warning the city’s residents not to let their guards down just yet.
Creating Policy that Improves Lives of Older Adults
Jan 22, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
For Latino seniors, issues of language access, health inequities, lower incomes and documentation status can make the daily business of living even more complicated. "Latino Voices" met with an organization aiming to develop a strategic action plan for aging in Illinois.
La DePaulia Celebrates Two Years Covering Chicago’s Latino Community
Jan 22, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
In January 2020, student journalists at DePaul University launched a Spanish-language platform reporting on Chicago’s Latino community, La DePaulia. We spoke to editor-in-chief and co-founder María Marta Guzmán and managing editor Erika Perez about the young news outlet’s first two years and their hopes for the future.
Evanston Selects First Residents to Receive Housing Benefits in Reparations Plan
Jan 22, 2022 | Aida Mogos
A historic moment in Evanston as the city determines who will be the first to receive reparations. We speak with two people behind the push to make it happen.
Chicago Author Creates Urban Fantasy Series for Black Children: ‘I Still Remember How it Felt to be Excluded’
Jan 22, 2022 | Aida Mogos
We speak with author and Chicagoan Zetta Elliott, who created the urban fantasy book series “Dragons in a Bag” to allow Black children to see themselves in the pages of fantasy books.
New Scholarship Initiative Aims to Boost Diversity in Brewing
Jan 22, 2022 | Aida Mogos
Beer is intended to be for everyone, of drinking age of course, but it’s not always made by everyone. The craft beer industry has historically been dominated by white men. That lack of diversity is the inspiration behind a new scholarship initiative in Illinois.
Arizona Democrats Censure Sinema for Blocking Voting Bill
Jan 22, 2022 | Associated Press
The moves offer a preview of the persistent opposition Sinema will likely face within her own party in the two years before she next appears on a ballot.
The Week in Review: Top Doc Says Chicago Past Omicron Peak
Jan 21, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Mayor Lightfoot backs embattled top cop. Omicron wave may have peaked as local COVID-19 testing company faces fraud investigations. A shakeup in the Republican primary for governor. And a major merger in local journalism.
Lightfoot’s Revised Plan to Go After Gangs’ Profits Gets Skeptical Response During Initial Hearing
Jan 21, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Deputy Mayor John O’Malley told members of the Chicago City Council’s Public Safety Committee that Lightfoot’s plan had been narrowed in response to criticism from members of the Chicago City Council, civil rights groups and police reform advocates.
CSO Boldly Explores Tchaikovsky Scores Inextricably Linked to Ballet
Jan 21, 2022 | Hedy Weiss
What this glorious, superbly performed concert did prove was that listening to these works without the element of dance that ordinarily is a crucial partner of the music, you begin to hear them in a wonderfully fresh and exciting way.
Lightfoot’s Pick to Lead COPA Fails to Advance Amid Controversy After Report Recommends Suspension for Officer Slain Months Later
Jan 21, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s pick to lead the agency charged with probing misconduct by members of the Chicago Police Department failed to advance Friday, even as she apologized again for releasing a report that recommended that Officer Ella French, slain in August, be disciplined for conduct during the botched raid of Anjanette Young’s home in February 2019.
Top Cop David Brown Dismisses Criticism of His Leadership: ‘We Got a Job to Do’
Jan 21, 2022 | Matt Masterson
“There are likely people here who liked it the way things were and who will push back and use media, become sources to create a lot of dysfunction,” Superintendent David Brown said. “We’re gonna push back, we’re gonna be the adults in the room.”
Booster Shots Needed Against Omicron, CDC Studies Show
Jan 21, 2022 | Associated Press
The papers echo previous research — including studies in Germany, South Africa and the U.K. — indicating available vaccines are less effective against omicron than earlier versions of the coronavirus, but also that boosters significantly improve protection.
Bob Goalby, Who Won Masters After Scorecard Flub, Dies at 92
Jan 21, 2022 | Associated Press
Bob Goalby, who won the 1968 Masters without having to go to a playoff when Roberto De Vicenzo infamously signed for the wrong score, has died. He was 92.