In the Loop

There are just 15 weeks until the midterm elections, and a revolution is brewing on the left.  Progressives and even self-proclaimed Democratic socialists have won primaries across the nation.  Take Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for example. The 28-year-old Bronx native slayed a party giant — longtime Congressman Joe Crowley — with a platform that includes a $15 minimum wage, tuition-free public college and abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.  Democrats like her believe that tilting further away from the middle is the antidote to President Trump, especially after Republicans ran away with elections in 2014 and 2016.  So, what does the apparent division within the Democratic party between moderates and progressives portend for the 2018 midterms?  Morning Shift digs into that question with a panel of political journalists. We also dive in the governor’s race, mayor’s race, local Congressional races and how much we should read into the latest polling on the Trump presidency. 

A fatal shooting by Chicago police. Legislation aimed at curbing gun violence in Illinois. The website Chicagoist acquired — and potentially given new life — by surprise investor Chance the Rapper. Those are just a few of the big stories Morning Shift covers in its weekly Friday New Roundup where a panel of journalists helps bring context and analysis to the biggest local and state stories of the week.    

A fatal shooting by Chicago police. Legislation aimed at curbing gun violence in Illinois. The website Chicagoist acquired — and potentially given new life — by surprise investor Chance the Rapper. Those are just a few of the big stories Morning Shift covers in its weekly Friday New Roundup where a panel of journalists helps bring context and analysis to the biggest local and state stories of the week.    

More than 40 Chicago actors will participate in the Latinx Theatre Commons' Carnaval of New Latinx Work from July 19 to 21 to highlight Latinx stories and talent.

More than 40 Chicago actors will participate in the Latinx Theatre Commons' Carnaval of New Latinx Work from July 19 to 21 to highlight Latinx stories and talent.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner Signs Two Bills Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence. One of the measures adds Illinois to the list of state that have enacted so-called red flag laws.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner Signs Two Bills Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence. One of the measures adds Illinois to the list of state that have enacted so-called red flag laws.

Protests erupted in the South Shore neighborhood Saturday night after Chicago police shot and killed an African American man in the street. Authorities said 37-year-old Harith Augustus showed “characteristics of an armed person.” He was shot after a brief scuffle with officers on foot patrol and died at Jackson Park Hospital about 5:50 p.m.

Protests erupted in the South Shore neighborhood Saturday night after Chicago police shot and killed an African American man in the street. Authorities said 37-year-old Harith Augustus showed “characteristics of an armed person.” He was shot after a brief scuffle with officers on foot patrol and died at Jackson Park Hospital about 5:50 p.m.

A Cook County Forest Preserve District police officer resigned this week after he was caught on video ignoring a woman’s calls for help. The Justice Department told Congress it is reinvestigating Emmett Till’s 1955 slaying after receiving “new information.” Meanwhile, State Rep. Christian Mitchell was named the Interim Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Those are just a few of the criminal justice and politics stories the Morning Shift breaks down in this week’s Friday News Roundup.