"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Lead found in air outside school

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:00 PM PDT

Monitor readings of lead pollution prompt investigation by federal, state environmental regulators

New monitoring data obtained by the Tribune reveal that high levels of toxic lead frequently lingered in the air last year outside a Pilsen elementary school attended by nearly 500 children.

Senior girl pushes back, allowed to wear tuxedo to prom

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 05:45 PM PDT

A senior at Proviso East High School, Belinda Sanchez hopes to one day become a civil rights attorney. On Thursday, the 18-year-old got her first taste of victory, winning the right to wear a tuxedo to her upcoming senior prom.

Some state jobs ending along with death penalty

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:45 PM PDT

28 Illinois workers who fought for death row inmates will be laid off April 15

Cheryl Bormann was elated last month when Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty in Illinois, even though she knew it likely meant the loss of her job.

Cardinal isn't discussing Pfleger's service >> Video

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:38 PM PDT

Cardinal Francis George said Thursday that a final decision hasn't been made on the future of the Rev. Michael Pfleger's continued service at St. Sabina Catholic Church.

New York state workers share $319 million lottery

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 11:44 AM PDT

SCHENECTADY, New York (Reuters) - Seven state workers who won the $319 million Mega Millions lottery said on Thursday they are still deciding whether to split it with five unlucky co-workers who chose not to play this time around.

30 mouthwatering sandwiches

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:31 PM PDT

It's a good time to eat a sandwich in Chicago. To celebrate we started eating, asking around for favorite sandwiches and testing. We trimmed several dozen suggestions down to 30 sandwiches.

Sketch released in Fullerton 'L' death

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:50 PM PDT

Police today released a sketch of a man wanted for pushing a woman to her death at the Fullerton 'L' station.

McCormick Place overhaul hits a wall

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:09 PM PDT

The state-mandated overhaul of McCormick Place operations ran into a legal obstacle as two unions won a court judgment challenging revamped rules that give exhibitors the right to do much of their own booth set-up and tear-down.

Farrakhan defends Gadhafi as 'brother'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 12:06 PM PDT

Warning that death and destruction was on America's doorstep because of arrogance and oppression of "God's chosen people," Minister Louis Farrakhan defended Moammar Gadhafi.

Snowstorm could dump up to a foot of snow in Northeast

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:18 PM PDT

BOSTON (AP) — A no-joke April Fools' snowstorm swirled toward the Northeast Thursday, a cruel prank on a region that was finally seeing a reprieve from its long, white winter.

Farrakhan defends Libya's Gadhafi as 'brother'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 01:57 PM PDT

Warning that death and destruction was on America's doorstep because of its arrogance and oppression of "God's chosen people," Minister Louis Farrakhan, the controversial Nation of Islam leader defended "Brother Leader Moammar Gadhafi" and called the U.S. action in Libya hypocrisy.

9 charged in cocaine distribution probe near Midway

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 11:55 AM PDT

Officials have charged nine men for their roles in a cocaine importing and distribution ring after an investigation by state and federal authorities.

Radiation levels spike at Japan nuclear plant

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:14 AM PDT

Levels of radioactive iodine inside and outside the Fukushima Daiichi plant have risen dramatically, Tepco officials say, hampering repair work and the recovery of bodies. A greater danger is the presence of cesium-137, which could contaminate the food chain, Japan's nuclear safety agency says.

Radiation levels spiked inside and outside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant Thursday, slowing work on the facility once again and once more throwing into doubt the integrity of the containment vessels that hold the fuel rods.

Wis. gov puts brakes on union law

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:58 AM PDT

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's administration says plans to implement a controversial collective bargaining law have been put on hold. The announcement came after a judge today declared that the law had not taken effect, a clear warning that the state risked sanctions if it were to begin deducting money from public employees' paychecks.

'Outrage' over allegation against cops

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 01:22 PM PDT

Interim Chicago Police Supt. Terry Hillard today voiced "extreme disappointment and outrage" at the alleged involvement of two veteran Chicago officers in the sexual assault of a North Side woman.

GE chief defends zero tax rate

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:36 AM PDT

Cardinal: 'Can't be a decision yet' on Pfleger >> Video

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 11:45 AM PDT

Cardinal Francis George said today in Westchester that a final decision hasn't been made on the future of the Rev. Michael Pfleger's continued service at St. Sabina Catholic Church.

City Council taking applications for internal watchdog

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:55 AM PDT

Drop in U.S. birth rate is the biggest in 30 years

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:30 AM PDT

The maternity business has experienced a recession, too, it appears. Births fell 4% from 2007 to 2009, the biggest drop for any two-year period since the mid-1970s, according to federal government data released Thursday.

Study: More men die from smoking than women

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:39 AM PDT

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Smoking causes half a million deaths each year in the U.S., killing slightly more men than women, new statistics show.