In the Loop

Adult film star Stormy Daniels kicks off a three night stand tonight at Chicago’s Admiral Theater-the only all nude strip club in the city. It happens to coincide with President Trump’s 72nd birthday, the man she says was her one-time lover. While the Admiral Theater could be considered a seedy joint by many- its beginnings are more in line with mainstream Chicago entertainment history. About two times a month Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business brings us stories of Chicago area buildings in a segment we call What’s That Building. He joined us with the  story of the Admiral.

One year into Chicago’s Vision Zero pedestrian safety program, the results are a mixed bag. The city has implemented 90 pedestrian infrastructure improvements — things like new bike lanes, electronic speed limit signs, and so-called “bumpouts,” which shorten crosswalks by blocking car from turning    But as the Chicago Tribune reports, pedestrian deaths are up 31 percent in the first five months of this year. That’s compared to the average during those months from 2012 to 2016. So, what does that look like on the ground? Twenty-one people have been struck and killed by vehicles in Chicago so far in 2018. Morning Shift discusses the work the city is doing to address this growing problem and that challenges it faces in bringing the numbers down with Chicago Department of transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld.

One year into Chicago’s Vision Zero pedestrian safety program, the results are a mixed bag. The city has implemented 90 pedestrian infrastructure improvements — things like new bike lanes, electronic speed limit signs, and so-called “bumpouts,” which shorten crosswalks by blocking car from turning    But as the Chicago Tribune reports, pedestrian deaths are up 31 percent in the first five months of this year. That’s compared to the average during those months from 2012 to 2016. So, what does that look like on the ground? Twenty-one people have been struck and killed by vehicles in Chicago so far in 2018. Morning Shift discusses the work the city is doing to address this growing problem and that challenges it faces in bringing the numbers down with Chicago Department of transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld.

It’s almost hard to believe that we’ve been watching Ethan Hawke for more than 30 years. Maybe that’s because he’s not the kind of actor that’s interested in churning out summer blockbusters featuring superheroes or giant robots. Sure, Hawke has been in a number of mega successes-think Dead Poets Society and Training Day. But one gets the feeling that he’s more at home on a small Broadway stage than he is on a Hollywood soundstage. In addition to acting, Ethan Hawke is a novelist, and a director of theater and film...which is how he’s made his way to our studio last week.  Hawke directed the film “Blaze”, about the late-and little known- singer/songwriter Blaze Foley. When he sat down with Morning Shift’s Jenn White, he talked about fame, art, creativity...and why he wanted to make a biopic that wasn’t really a biopic. 

It’s almost hard to believe that we’ve been watching Ethan Hawke for more than 30 years. Maybe that’s because he’s not the kind of actor that’s interested in churning out summer blockbusters featuring superheroes or giant robots. Sure, Hawke has been in a number of mega successes-think Dead Poets Society and Training Day. But one gets the feeling that he’s more at home on a small Broadway stage than he is on a Hollywood soundstage. In addition to acting, Ethan Hawke is a novelist, and a director of theater and film...which is how he’s made his way to our studio last week.  Hawke directed the film “Blaze”, about the late-and little known- singer/songwriter Blaze Foley. When he sat down with Morning Shift’s Jenn White, he talked about fame, art, creativity...and why he wanted to make a biopic that wasn’t really a biopic. 

Two of the biggest stars in American women’s tennis will play a match on Chicago’s South Side next month as part of World TeamTennis, the league popularized by tennis legend Billie Jean King. Defending U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens will go head-to-head with Chicago native Taylor Townsend at XTennis, the new facility in Woodlawn on July 27. Both players are African American, a fact King hopes will be an inspiration to young emerging tennis fans and players in the Chicago area. “Whoever comes to watch Sloane and Taylor, at least kids of color will know anything’s possible,” King told the Chicago Tribune. King has long been an advocate for gender equality and inclusiveness. Morning Shift talks to her about the upcoming tennis match in Chicago and her work to promote gay rights, gender pay equality and diversity and inclusion in the sports world and beyond. 

Two of the biggest stars in American women’s tennis will play a match on Chicago’s South Side next month as part of World TeamTennis, the league popularized by tennis legend Billie Jean King. Defending U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens will go head-to-head with Chicago native Taylor Townsend at XTennis, the new facility in Woodlawn on July 27. Both players are African American, a fact King hopes will be an inspiration to young emerging tennis fans and players in the Chicago area. “Whoever comes to watch Sloane and Taylor, at least kids of color will know anything’s possible,” King told the Chicago Tribune. King has long been an advocate for gender equality and inclusiveness. Morning Shift talks to her about the upcoming tennis match in Chicago and her work to promote gay rights, gender pay equality and diversity and inclusion in the sports world and beyond. 

In this week’s Friday News Roundup, Morning Shift takes a look at local stories where institutions have failed children and where sexual abuse and harassment are being exposed. First, we dig into the Chicago Tribune’s “Betrayed” investigation that showed widespread mishandling of student sexual abuse cases over a decade in the Chicago Public Schools. We’ll also look at steps the district and state lawmakers are taking in response to the Tribune’s reporting. Then, Mike Madigan and #MeToo. A third employee in the office of the powerful speaker of the Illinois House has been accused of misconduct, and this time, it’s a top aide. Plus, a troubling investigation from ProPublica Illinois reveals that the state of Illinois is holding children in psychiatric wards far beyond their release dates. We find out the what, how and why on that story and who’s being held accountable. GUESTS: Gary Marx, investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune Duaa Eldeib, investigative reporter at ProPublica Illinois Mick Dumke, reporter and columnist ProPublica Illinois

In this week’s Friday News Roundup, Morning Shift takes a look at local stories where institutions have failed children and where sexual abuse and harassment are being exposed. First, we dig into the Chicago Tribune’s “Betrayed” investigation that showed widespread mishandling of student sexual abuse cases over a decade in the Chicago Public Schools. We’ll also look at steps the district and state lawmakers are taking in response to the Tribune’s reporting. Then, Mike Madigan and #MeToo. A third employee in the office of the powerful speaker of the Illinois House has been accused of misconduct, and this time, it’s a top aide. Plus, a troubling investigation from ProPublica Illinois reveals that the state of Illinois is holding children in psychiatric wards far beyond their release dates. We find out the what, how and why on that story and who’s being held accountable. GUESTS: Gary Marx, investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune Duaa Eldeib, investigative reporter at ProPublica Illinois Mick Dumke, reporter and columnist ProPublica Illinois

Donda’s House was dissolved last month following a Twitter spat between co-founder Che “Rhymefest” Smith and Kim Kardashian-West. In an effort to distance itself from the drama, the Chicago-based organization is rebranding as Art of Culture inc. Kanye West, Rhymefest and his wife, educator Donnie Smith, co-founded the nonprofit in 2011 to honor West’s late mother, Dr. Donda West. The organization has served more than 500 students in the Chicago area. “This has been an incredibly difficult decision but the social media quotes from Kim Kardashian-West, as well as the expressed interest of her family running the organization, has brought us to this decision,” organizers said in a statement. “We encourage Kim and Kanye to indeed pick up the baton of service.”