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.
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As Students Return to Chicago Schools, Tension Remains Between City, Teachers Over Testing
Jan 12, 2022 | Heather Cherone
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.
Longtime Anchor Pat Cassidy Reflects on Career in Radio News
Jan 11, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
“I just love breaking news, because I know I’m telling people things they don’t know,” said Pat Cassidy, who after 51 years as a radio news anchor has signed off.
Illinois Attorney General: Be Cautious of Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing Sites
Jan 11, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
In need of a COVID-19 test? Don’t just go to any site, cautions Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who says pop-up COVID-19 testing sites aren’t licensed or regulated by any government agency. He shares tips for how to choose a testing site.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Contracts COVID-19
Jan 11, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Tuesday that she tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing cold-like symptoms.
Suit Highlights Suburban Unease With Addiction Centers
Jan 11, 2022 | Associated Press
A Chicago-based addiction treatment center, which like others nationwide has faced fierce opposition to opening suburban branches, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday to force one suburb to stop blocking its expansion plans.
Frigid Temps Are Great for Killing Ash Borer Beetles. How Cold? We’re Not Even Close
Jan 11, 2022 | Patty Wetli
Studies show temperatures of -30°F will kill 98% of ash borer beetle larvae. Guess when Chicago was last that cold.
Students Set to Return to Classroom as Chicago Teachers Suspend Labor Action
Jan 10, 2022 | Matt Masterson
Chicago students are set to return to their classrooms this week after several days at home as the city and Chicago Teachers Union have reached a compromise on new COVID-19 mitigations inside schools.
January 10, 2022 - Full Show
Jan 10, 2022 | WTTW News
The latest on the standoff over in-person learning at Chicago Public Schools. Will there be school this week? The Bears chart a path forward. What local leaders plan to do about homelessness during the winter months.
Illinois’ Top Doc on Omicron Spike, In-Person Learning Debate
Jan 10, 2022 | Blair Paddock
Dr. Ngozi Ezike breaks down the latest Illinois COVID-19 numbers and says the debate over the safety of in-person learning is nuanced.
Nonprofit Aims to Address Homelessness as Housing Insecurity Grows During COVID-19
Jan 10, 2022 | Acacia Hernandez
The leader of a Chicago nonprofit focused on homelessness says the demand for their services has skyrocketed. "We are getting inundated with calls, emails and walk-ins from people that never imagined they would ever need help like this before.”
Doctor Offers Tips for Regaining Sense of Smell After COVID-19 Infection
Jan 10, 2022 | Leslie Hurtado
A common indicator of COVID-19 is the loss of taste and smell, which can last for months after infection, according to recent research.
Much to Fix in the Offseason As Bears Begin Search for New GM and Coach
Jan 10, 2022 | Paul Caine
The Bears’ head coach and general manager are out. James “Big Cat” Williams, former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, gives us his thoughts on the offseason challenges the team and the incoming new coach and general manager face.
Home COVID Tests to be Covered by Insurers Starting Saturday
Jan 10, 2022 | Associated Press
Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans.
Paying Homage to an Artistic Collaborator in Hershey Felder’s ‘Mozart and Figaro in Vienna’
Jan 10, 2022 | Hedy Weiss
The “musical film” is a fascinating look at the creation of “The Marriage of Figaro,” the first of the composer’s three major operas in Italian.
Man Who Bought Gun for Kyle Rittenhouse Pleads No Contest
Jan 10, 2022 | Associated Press
The man who bought an AR-15-style rifle for Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded no contest Monday to a reduced charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in a deal with prosecutors that allows him to avoid prison.
December’s Tornadoes Among 2021’s 20 Devastating Billion-Dollar Climate Disasters: Report
Jan 10, 2022 | Patty Wetli
According to a federal report released Monday, the U.S. experienced 20 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2021, including hurricanes, wildfires and out-of-season December tornadoes.
Buckthorn Is Highly Invasive, But What Does it Even Look Like? Here’s an ID Hack
Jan 10, 2022 | Patty Wetli
It can be hard to tell one tree from another in winter, but there's a simple trick to identifying invasive buckthorn.
Bears Opt to Make Sweeping Changes, Fire GM Pace, Coach Nagy
Jan 10, 2022 | Associated Press
Matt Nagy's fate seemed sealed as the Bears struggled through a 6-11 season that ended with a loss at Minnesota on Sunday. But it was not clear if Ryan Pace also would be let go or retained in either his current role or a different capacity.
Lightfoot Taps Longtime Police Reform Advocate to Lead Oversight Board
Jan 10, 2022 | Heather Cherone
Adam Gross will help launch the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability after serving as the director of the police accountability program area for BPI, a public interest law firm.
Monday Classes Canceled As CPS-CTU Standoff Drags On
Jan 9, 2022 | Matt Masterson
“Although we have been negotiating hard throughout the day, there has not been sufficient progress for us to predict a return to class tomorrow,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted Sunday.