Chicago Public Radio - Featured Stories Podcast

Can FBI Fitness Infiltrate Chicago Cops?

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:00 -0600

Since starting his new job in February, Chicago's top cop Jody Weis has made a habit of announcing big changes meant to rebuild the image of a department plagued by scandals. One of his ideas has received a cool welcome in the city of deep...

City Tightens Up With New Promoters Ordinance

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 -0600

To answer some of the concerns raised by the proposed music promoter ordinance, we talked with 47th Ward Alderman Eugene Schulter. He helped shape the promoter’s ordinance as chair of the City Council’s Committee on License and Consumer Protection....

A Sprawling Plan for Cook-DuPage Transit

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

The area between Cook and DuPage counties is infamous for finger-flipping traffic congestion. Road project after road project promised to nip it in the bud, but many of them failed, roads just filled up with more cars. Well, transit officials...

A Peek into Oprah's Closet

Chicago Public Radio — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 -0600

Oprah Winfrey has a show, a couple magazines, a recently announced TV network, and now a boutique. At the newly opened store in Chicago, fans can purchase all things Oprah. The store offers more than O-marked trinkets—there are tea-sets, arts...

Tribune Company Looks to its Future--and That of Newspapers

Chicago Public Radio — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Chicago Tribune Company chief Sam Zell says the whole newspaper industry needs a new business model. He bought the ailing Tribune conglomerate in an 8 billion dollar deal late last year. He says papers have to be nimble---use multiple media...

An Audio Gift to Mom

Chicago Public Radio — Sun, 11 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and that means the great scramble for flowers and cards is on. Curie Metro High School senior Abdel Mutan has been thinking a lot about his mom lately, especially her sacrifices. Mutan produced this audio gift for his...

River Clean Up Day

Chicago Public Radio — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Saturday is the 16th annual Chicago River Day. Chicago area residents will roll up their sleeves and get down to the business of removing debris from the banks along the river.

Unfiltered: Michelle Obama in Chicago

Chicago Public Radio — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:00:00 -0600

Michelle Obama and Valerie Plame are among the speakers at Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's annual Ultimate Women's Power Lunch. Obama talks about issues facing women in America and the former CIA operative Plame talks about how she got to where she is now.

Hillary Clinton: Should She Stay or Should She Go?

Chicago Public Radio — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:00 -0600

After this week's primaries in North Carolina and Indiana, the odds seem to be favoring Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama to win the Democratic presidential nomination. And there are calls for New York U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton to drop...

R. Kelly Archetype of Tortured Black Male Soul Singer

Chicago Public Radio — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Today, the R. Kelly child pornography trial finally gets underway. Six years ago police arrested the R&B star after a videotape surfaced of a man having sex with a girl, allegedly underage girl. Prosecutors say that man is Kelly. Kelly...

Color-Coded Midway Security Plan in Place

Chicago Public Radio — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:00:00 -0600

New security lines at Midway might remind some passengers of a ski slope.

State’s Attorney Won’t Retry Cop Accused of DUI

Chicago Public Radio — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 -0600

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said yesterday it won’t bring new charges against a Chicago police officer involved in a fatal crash on his way from a tavern. But the officer remains in hot water.

Students Rally for Cinco de Mayo College Bowl

Chicago Public Radio — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Mexican-Americans have made a substantial impact on U.S. history, but you wouldn’t know that from sitting in a typical U.S. history class. A few teachers at Highland Park High School have been on a mission to integrate Chicano history into...

Prosecutors End Case Against Cop in Fatal Crash

Chicago Public Radio — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Cook County prosecutors say they’ve finished their investigation of a Chicago police officer involved in a fatal North Side crash on his way from a bar. The State’s Attorney’s Office says there’s insufficient evidence to bring new charges against him.

Northwest Indiana Republicans Cross Party Lines for Primary

Chicago Public Radio — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:00:00 -0600

Voting officials in Northwest Indiana say a lot of Republicans crossed party lines in the state's primary election. That led to a shortage of Democratic ballots in some precincts.

Overheard in Chicago

Chicago Public Radio — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:00:00 -0600

Eavesdropping can be a guilty pleasure but few of us repeat what we hear outside of our immediate circle of friends. But Zeev Walny throws that net a little wider. For about two years now, Walny has been collecting funny, baffling and occasionally...

Clinton Wins Indiana After Late Results

Chicago Public Radio — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Lake County, Indiana officials say a record number of voters, thousands of early ballots cast and thousands more absentee ballots added up to a sort of perfect storm in yesterday's primary. Lake County votes were still be counted late into...

Obama Wins North Carolina; Indiana Primary Vote Count Continues

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:00:00 -0600

Barack Obama scored a decisive victory tonight in North Carolina. The vote count continues in Indiana. With 57 percent of precincts reporting, Hillary Clinton leads 54-to-46 percent. Obama leads in Elkhart County, in northwest Indiana, and...

After 26 Years in Prison, Alton Logan Starts Over

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:00:00 -0600

Alton Logan walked out of prison just over two weeks ago. He'd been there for 26 years, for a murder he insisted he did not commit. We've been following Logan's story over the past few months, and you may recall some of the details. In January...

Realtors and Developers Looking to Unusual Market

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:00:00 -0600

Depending on who you ask, the U.S. is in a recession, and the housing market isn’t getting much better. But some Chicago developers and realtors are betting there’s one group still interested in buying.

After 26 Years in Prison, Alton Logan Starts Over

Chicago Public Radio — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:00:00 -0600

Alton Logan walked out of prison just over two weeks ago. He'd been there for 26 years, for a murder he insisted all along he did not commit. We've been following Logan's story over the past few months, and you may recall some of the details....