'I am sorry' / Offensive Chicago / WBEZ's big news plans

‘I AM SORRY.’ The Republican congressional candidate accused of grabbing a reporter by the neck and throwing him to the floor has apologized—after winning last night.
But his victory, Matthew Yglesias writes in Vox,fundamentally represents bad news” for Republicans.
Columnist Mona Charen: “Do you regret early voting yet?
Next stop in political tea-leaf-reading: Georgia.
Republicans are encouraging Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance to run for the U.S. Senate.

UNION STATION REBIRTH. A billion-dollar-plus project will add hotel and residential towers atop Chicago’s historic terminal.
The Tribune’s Blair Kamin: The plans “fail to live up to the lofty rhetoric.” (Image: Goettsch Partners rendering,)
After a Chicago alderman’s insult to San Antonio, a gubernatorial candidate’s company has lost a $100 million deal.

‘BUSINESS AS USUAL.’ A lawyer for the Chicago cop accused of gunning down Laquan McDonald says the shooting was standard protocol under the department’s then-existing use-of-force policy. But a judge denied a motion to dismiss the indictment.
One man caught on video in an attack on protesters outside the D.C. Turkish Embassy: “I thought it was a man. I would never kick a woman.”

‘WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, IT IS THE DUTY OF PUBLIC ENTITIES TO SHARE THE BAD WITH THE GOOD.’ Neil Steinberg criticizes the way Kane County officials handled the aftermath of a hostage standoff with an inmate who was being treated at a suburban hospital.
A federal lawsuit says a police deputy ran and hid after the inmate stole his weapon and took hostages.
Sun-Times editorial: “Every hospital administrator … wants to know this cannot happen again.”

OFFENSIVE CHICAGO. The Trib’s Mark Jacob rounds up Chicago’s controversial monuments, street names and other symbols.
The wave of condemnation for Confederate memorials reaches a little-known St. Louis monument.

‘THE POLITICAL EQUIVALENT OF A YOUTUBE PUPPY VIDEO.’ A Guardian contributor condemns Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s “constant stream of PR stunts.”
Leaders of the G7 nations are poised to pressure President Trump to take a more progressive stand on environmental issues.
In South Africa, facing its worst drought in a century, Cape Town is down to the last 10 percent of its reservoir water.

WBEZ’S BIG NEWS PLANS. Chicago Public Media’s CEO tells the City Club of Chicago that by 2020, she expects to double the editorial staff from its 2014 levels. (Video of the full speech on the City Club website.)
Columbia Journalism Review is tracking the loss of jobs in local newsrooms.

DUELING REVIEWS. Two takes on the latest “Pirates of the Caribbean” installment:
Three stars from Richard Roeper.
AP’s Mark Kennedy: “Weary, battered.”

HAVE A MEMORABLE WEEKEND. Chicago Public Square will return Tuesday.
Thousands of additional Chicago cops will be on duty to deal with Memorial Day weekend violence.

CORRECTION. The lead link in yesterday’s Square went to the wrong page. It’s been fixed now. Sorry about that. (Hey, where was the Square Correction Squad yesterday when we needed ’em? If you spot a mistake, write to Goofs@ChicagoPublicSquare.com. If you’re first, you’ll get credit here.)

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