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WTTW - Chicago PBS

@wttw.bsky.social

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As Chicago's PBS station, WTTW is committed to producing and presenting independent, trusted, best-in-class content fueled by a distinctly Chicago sensibility. https://t.co/QTmgsrKIaj

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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 24m

Tonight on Chicago Stories: Hear from Rod Blagojevich himself in a new episode that chronicles his political rise and fall. Watch the show at 8:00 pm on WTTW, or stream it on the PBS app or wttw.com/chicagostories #ChicagoStoriesWTTW

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 14h

A judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from deploying members of the National Guard to Illinois.

“I see no credible evidence there is a danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois,” U.S. District Court Judge April Perry said. https://to.wttw.com/4h4acno

Federal Judge Grants Partial Restraining Order Blocking National Guard Deployment in Chicago Area

A federal judge is set to decide Thursday whether to block President Donald Trump from deploying 200 members of the Texas National Guard alongside 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to the Chi...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 16h

A federal judge will soon decide whether to block President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops in the Chicago area. Here is everything that happened during today's landmark hearing: https://to.wttw.com/4h4acno

Federal Judge Appears Skeptical of Reasoning Behind National Guard Deployment in Illinois During Ongoing Hearing

Lawyers for the Department of Justice told U.S. District Court Judge April Perry the president deployed the National Guard because “levels of violence against federal law enforcement executing their l...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 21h

A court hearing is now underway to decide whether a federal judge should block President Donald Trump from deploying 200 members of the Texas National Guard alongside 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to the Chicago area.

https://to.wttw.com/4h4acno

Judge to Decide Whether to Block National Guard Deployment as Trump Sends California Troops to Illinois

Lawyers for the Department of Justice told U.S. District Court Judge April Perry the president deployed the National Guard because “levels of violence against federal law enforcement executing their l...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 21h

Tens of thousands of obsessives are expected to converge on Grant Park in 2026 for the return of Pokemon Go Fest, which formerly had a successful run in Chicago from 2017 to 2019.

https://to.wttw.com/46XMDbb

Pokemon Go Fest Coming to Grant Park in Summer 2026, Unique ‘Open Footprint’ Format Will Keep Area Open to the Public

Pokemon Go Fest will return to Grant Park in 2026 for the first time since 2019.

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 23h

More than 500 Chicago police officers are still using a gun police union leaders believe could accidentally discharge a week after the federal judge overseeing the effort to reform the Chicago Police Department ordered them to “immediately” stop using.

https://to.wttw.com/48mH4pc

521 Chicago Police Officers Still Using Gun Federal Judge Says Should be Banned, CPD Says

While the number of officers carrying the gun “decreases daily,” CPD officials told the judge there is no firm timetable for all CPD officers to stop carrying the gun because of delays obtaining a new...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

CTA leaders doubled down on their commitment to the long-awaited Red Line Extension on Wednesday, despite the Trump administration saying it would put a pause on releasing nearly $2 billion in federal funding amid a review of the project’s contracting.

https://to.wttw.com/4nGrKIy

CTA ‘Fully Committed’ to Red Line Extension Despite Trump Administration Move to Pause Funding

The funding freeze, which came despite a full funding agreement executed earlier this year, comes amid a broader anti-DEI push from the administration. In announcing the pause, federal officials said ...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

As federal immigration enforcement operations spread “fear and anxiety” among many Chicago Public Schools families, district leaders say they’ve launched a command center to stay on top of emergency situations and provide help to concerned school leaders.

https://to.wttw.com/3WgI8Ul

Chicago Public Schools Sets Up District Command Center in Response to ‘Fear and Anxiety’ From ICE Operations

Interim CPS CEO Macquline King on Wednesday said the district command center in order to provide “round-the-clock support” to school communities experiencing “heightened stress due to activity outside...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

A soccer match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

https://to.wttw.com/4h0ZYUF

Argentina, Puerto Rico Soccer Match Featuring Messi Moved From Chicago to Florida Amid Immigration Crackdown

The friendly match was supposed to be played on Oct. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago but will be moved to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home stadium of Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Mes...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Amid the rapid developments as the administration appeals, here’s a look at National Guard deployments, how they have been done before and the legality of Trump’s efforts to send troops into Democratic-led cities.

FAQ: A Look at the National Guard's Role as Trump Seeks to Deploy Troops in Chicago

President Donald Trump's efforts to send National Guard troops into U.S. cities -- including Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago -- over the objections of Democratic mayors and governors have prompted a host of questions about the president's aut...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Chicago social justice artist and photographer Tonika Lewis Johnson is among 22 MacArthur Fellows who were chosen to receive the prestigious “Genius Grant” this year, the MacArthur Foundation announced Wednesday.

https://to.wttw.com/4nA7w3c

Chicago Artist Tonika Lewis Johnson, Whose Work Explores Segregation, Awarded MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’

Tonika Lewis Johnson, an Englewood native, explores the impacts of segregation and disinvestment in Chicago neighborhoods through her “Folded Map Project,” “Inequity for Sale” and “UnBlocked Englewood...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Taxpayers should pay $640,000 to two Chicago families who said their children were held at gunpoint during botched no-knock raids of their apartments, lawyers for the city of Chicago recommended Thursday.

https://to.wttw.com/3VQYKBM

City Lawyers Recommend Paying $640K to 2 Families Who Say They Were Held at Gunpoint During Botched No-Knock Raids

Botched raids by the Chicago Police Department have cost taxpayers more than $5.5 million since 2020, according to a WTTW News analysis.

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

The Red Line extension was set to begin construction early next spring, but after a pause in federal funding, it's unclear where the timeline stands. Local organizers say it's essential for those who live in “transportation deserts” on the Far South Side.

https://to.wttw.com/48r5HkB

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

National Guard troops from Texas arrived in Illinois as part of an unprecedented deployment this week with a directive to protect federal immigration agents “in places where there are violent demonstrations.”

So where might that be? https://to.wttw.com/42ty4uG

National Guard Troops Have Arrived in Illinois. What’s Their Directive and Where Might They Be Deployed?

National Guard troops arrived in Illinois as part of an unprecedented deployment with a directive to protect federal immigration agents “in places where there are violent demonstrations. So where migh...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

The federal government entered its sixth day of a shutdown Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of employees furloughed.

Chicago's federal workers spoke with "Chicago Tonight" Tuesday on working without pay. https://to.wttw.com/42rmFvm

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

President Donald Trump called early Wednesday morning for Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker to be jailed, escalating the crisis engulfing the nation’s third largest city.

https://to.wttw.com/3Wg7Jg9

Donald Trump Says Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker ‘Should Be in Jail’

Trump’s comments, posted to his social media platform, came a day after 200 Texas National Guard troops under the command of federal officials arrived at a military facility near Joliet over the vehem...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Chicago taxpayers should pay $8 million to a man who spent 16 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of a 2002 murder, city lawyers recommended.

https://to.wttw.com/48Seyf6

City Council to Weigh Paying $8M to Man Who Spent 16 Years in Prison After Wrongful Murder Conviction

Eric Blackmon was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Tony Cox, who was killed on the West Side in what police believed was a gang-related shooting.

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Chicago taxpayers should pay $18.5 million to a man who spent 34 years in prison after being convicted of a 1989 double murder he didn’t commit, city lawyers recommended.

https://to.wttw.com/3KYrUMU

Pay $18.5M to Man Who Spent 34 Years in Prison for Double Murder He Didn’t Commit: City Lawyers

If approved, it would bring the total amount spent by taxpayers in 2025 to compensate those wrongfully convicted based on evidence developed by Chicago police officers to $164.2 million, according to ...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

With Chicago in the crosshairs of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement blitz, and National Guard troops now on the ground in the area, rumors are swirling around potential ICE raids on Chicago Marathon participants and spectators.

https://to.wttw.com/3IUSkhW

With Rumors Swirling Around Possible ICE Activity at Chicago Marathon, Johnson Says ‘We’re Encouraging Everyone to Get Out to Celebrate’

The Chicago Park District has shot down a social media rumor that it had received any information about ICE agents targeting Sunday’s upcoming Chicago Marathon for enforcement activities.

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Chicago firefighters and paramedics — who are prohibited from striking — have been working under the terms of a contract that took effect in 2017 and expired in 2021.

The proposed contract would expire June 30, 2027.

https://to.wttw.com/4o7AV4y

Key City Panel Endorses Proposed Firefighters Union Contract

Chicago firefighters and paramedics — who are prohibited from striking — have been working under the terms of a contract that expired in 2021.

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

The Chicago Cubs are still in the National League Division Series round of the MLB postseason. What’s been your favorite moment of the season so far?

Your response could be included in our newsletter, the Daily Chicagoan.

Subscribe here: interactive.wttw.com/newsletter

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Featuring an interview with Rod Blagojevich himself, the next episode of Chicago Stories traces Blago's political ascent – and his fall. Watch the show on Friday, October 10 at 8:00 pm on WTTW and streaming on the PBS app and wttw.com/chicagostories #ChicagoStoriesWTTW

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

The organization runs a hotline where people can report ICE activity and get legal support and social service resources if someone in their family is taken by immigration officials. Last Friday saw more than 800 calls to the hotline, the most in a year.

https://to.wttw.com/4hi9tPH

Chicago Community Groups Say Expected Troop Deployment Will Heighten Fears, Create Chaos

President Donald Trump plans to deploy 400 members of the Texas National Guard and 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to the area any day. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon J...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters at a Tuesday morning City Hall news conference that he had not been notified that Texas National Guard troops had entered the city.

“It’s illegal, unconstitutional,” Johnson said. https://to.wttw.com/432ssrj

National Guard Arrives in Chicago Area as Local Officials Await Judge’s Ruling

“It’s illegal, unconstitutional,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “It’s dangerous. It’s wrong. This is not about deportations, this is not about safety for this president. This is about authoritarianism. ...

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Federal prosecutors claim a high-ranking Chicago gang member placed a bounty on the head of a top immigration officer involved in “Operation Midway Blitz.”

https://to.wttw.com/4nCXqyr

Feds Accuse Reputed Gang Member of Murder-for-Hire Plot Involving Senior Law Enforcement Official

Prosecutors in Chicago on Monday filed a murder-for-hire charge against 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, whom they claim is a “ranking member” of the Latin Kings gang.