‘Day of Hate.’ Alluding to an Iowa Nazi group’s declaration of Feb. 25 as a “National Day of Hate,” Chicago police are urging religious communities to stay vigilant this weekend.
■ Here’s the department’s alert.
■ David Israel at Jewish Press: “I Googled ‘day of hate tradition’ and the first item … was a reference to Festivus.”
■ The Tribune: A two-hour public hearing on Chicago cops’ ties to hate groups left City Council members frustrated and confused.
■ Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez: The top brass’ defense of continued employment for one Chicago officer who’s an Oath Keeper and another with ties to the Proud Boys sends “a chilling message.”
■ A Jan. 6, 2021, rioter who threatened Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—and who was wearing an “I was there” T-shirt at the time of his arrest—has been sentenced to 38 months in prison, much of which he’s already served.
‘My vote for mayor …’ Columnist Eric Zorn reveals his choice, with some reservations— conceding he’s glad his wife compromised his vote by picking someone else.
■ The progressive Indivisible Chicago calls another candidate “a dangerous choice.”
■ The Chicago Teachers Union is riven by its support for mayoral candidate—and union member—Brandon Johnson.
■ Ready to decide for yourself? Consult the Chicago Public Square voter guide.
Transit’s ‘funding cliff.’ The chair of the Regional Transportation Authority—parent to the CTA, Metra and Pace—is calling for more public money …
■ … but, as you can see in video of his address yesterday to the City Club, he’s committing to safety improvements first.
■ The CTA will close three Blue Line stations over several weekends for track work.
Planning a summer vacation? Know that Chicago Public Schools will reopen Aug. 21.
■ Here’s the calendar approved yesterday.
‘Every reporter’s … worst nightmare.’ That’s how a colleague tearfully reported yesterday on the shooting death of a 24-year-old Orlando TV reporter and a 9-year-old girl, and the wounding of a photojournalist and the girl’s mother.
■ The 19-year-old suspect has a long history of gun-related charges and other crimes …
■ … and was a suspect in a homicide the journalists were covering at the time.
■ CNN’s Oliver Darcy: “The violence comes after a particularly dangerous year for members of the press worldwide.”
Correction and apology. Yesterday’s Chicago Public Square mischaracterized Don Lemon’s tweet before returning to CNN’s morning show. He did in fact say he was sorry. And so is your Square columnist …
■ … but Poynter’s Tom Jones suggests CNN still has a Lemon problem.
■ NPR’s cutting 10% of its workforce.
He’ll be back. Hamilton’s returning to the stage in Chicago for the first time in three years.
■ Conflicted by calls to rename the Audubon Society, whose namesake was a slave-owner and seller, columnist Neil Steinberg sees some value in leaving things alone: “Join for birds, get a lesson in the loathsome side of early 19th century America.”
Charge it. BP, the oil giant whose largest refinery is in Whiting, Indiana, is pledging $1 billion for electric vehicle charging stations across the United States.
■ A movement’s afoot in the Illinois General Assembly to ban single-use foam containers.
Grinch sequel. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is getting a new chapter—not written by Dr. Seuss.
■ The Onion’s made-up interview with J.K. Rowling: “Name your favorite kind of transphobia, go!”
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Know a newsroom that could use an intern? The Chicago Headline Club and the Chicago Headline Club Foundation are accepting applications for grants to support internship programs. Nonprofit Chicago-area print, broadcast and online news organizations can apply here.