Cheryl Corley http://nhpr.org en Bond For Accused Cleveland Kidnapper Set At $8 Million http://nhpr.org/post/bond-accused-cleveland-kidnapper-set-8-million Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>In Cleveland today, Ariel Castro appeared in court; his hands bound, head lowered. He is accused of kidnapping three women and a child, and of raping the three women who escaped Monday from the house where they'd been held for roughly a decade. A judge set bond at $8 million, and an Ohio prosecutor says he will pursue additional charges and may seek the death penalty. Thu, 09 May 2013 20:34:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 27200 at http://nhpr.org Ariel Castro Faces Kidnapping, Rape Charges In Cleveland http://nhpr.org/post/ariel-castro-faces-kidnapping-rape-charges-cleveland Multiple counts of rape and kidnapping charges have been filed against Ariel Castro, the Cleveland man accused of holding three women captive for about a decade. The women held hostage in his house escaped earlier this week. Two are now at home with family while the third remains in the hospital. Thu, 09 May 2013 09:45:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 27155 at http://nhpr.org Kidnapped Ohio Women Return Home To Families http://nhpr.org/post/kidnapped-ohio-women-return-home-families Charges are expected Wednesday in Cleveland, where three women who'd been missing for years have been rescued. Wed, 08 May 2013 20:50:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 27123 at http://nhpr.org Cash Crunch Prompts Controversial Sales At Chicago's Field Museum http://nhpr.org/post/cash-crunch-prompts-controversial-sales-chicagos-field-museum The economy may be on the rebound, but many cultural institutions are still struggling to regain their financial footing. That's especially true for one of the country's most recognized museums — the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Known internationally for its research as well as its exhibits, the Field Museum must pay off millions in bond debt — and toe an ethical line as it does.<p>The first thing you see when you enter the main hall of the Field Museum is Sue, the largest specimen of <em>Tyrannosaurus rex</em> around. Mon, 06 May 2013 07:45:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 26892 at http://nhpr.org Cash Crunch Prompts Controversial Sales At Chicago's Field Museum Critics Apply More Pressure To Keep Targeted Chicago Schools Open http://nhpr.org/post/critics-apply-more-pressure-keep-targeted-chicago-schools-open Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>Chicago's plan to shut down 54 schools would be the largest school closure in U.S. history. And it has taken a step closer to becoming a reality. After a month of public hearings, officials will hand over reports to the school board with recommendations for how many of the schools in question should be closed. Fri, 03 May 2013 08:41:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 26774 at http://nhpr.org Michelle Obama Steps Into Gun Control Debate http://nhpr.org/post/michelle-obama-steps-gun-control-debate First lady Michelle Obama gave a personal and emotional speech Wednesday in Chicago as she stepped into the debate over gun control.<p>"Right now, my husband is fighting as hard as he can and engaging as many people as he can to pass common-sense reforms to protect our children from gun violence," she said.<p>The first lady was in her hometown to encourage business leaders to donate millions of dollars to programs for at-risk youth.<p>It was just two months ago that Obama returned home to attend the funeral of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teenager who performed with her band members Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:17:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 25323 at http://nhpr.org Michelle Obama Steps Into Gun Control Debate For Pulitzer-Winning Critic Roger Ebert, Films Were A Journey http://nhpr.org/post/pulitzer-winning-critic-roger-ebert-films-were-journey He won a Pulitzer Prize for his writing, but just as influential as his print essays were his "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" movie reviews. Film critic Roger Ebert died Thursday after struggling for years with cancer. He was 70 years old.<p>His thumb may have made him famous on TV, but Ebert was first and foremost a print journalist. He worked on newspapers in grade school, high school and college. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:02:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 24976 at http://nhpr.org For Pulitzer-Winning Critic Roger Ebert, Films Were A Journey Chicago's Murder Rate Begins Year Lower http://nhpr.org/post/chicagos-murder-rate-begins-year-lower The city's murder rate has dropped dramatically over the first three months of the year. The police superintendent says it's not a victory but it is progress. After a year in which murders in the country's third largest city topped more than 500, the homicide rate has declined to a level not seen since 1959. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:28:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 24774 at http://nhpr.org Chicago To Close 54 Public Schools http://nhpr.org/post/chicago-close-54-public-schools In Chicago, officials have released a long-feared list that places more than 50 schools on the chopping block. The public school district faces a $1 billion shortfall, and the mayor says many of the city's school buildings are half empty. Some angry parents and teachers say the plan will harm children and they'll fight to keep the schools open.<p>There were protests all day Thursday against the proposed school closings, including one outside the home of the Chicago school board president. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:38:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 24171 at http://nhpr.org Chicago To Close 54 Public Schools Game Of Change: Pivotal Matchup Helped End Segregated Hoops http://nhpr.org/post/game-change-pivotal-matchup-helped-end-segregated-hoops During the March Madness of 1963, playing was infused with politics. The NCAA matchup between Loyola University of Chicago and Mississippi State helped put an end to segregated basketball. Loyola's win 50 years ago became known as the "game of change."<p>At the time, college basketball was still predominantly white, with usually no more than two or three black players appearing on the floor at any one time. But in '63, the Loyola Ramblers' starting lineup featured four black players.<p>During the opening round of the NCAA tournament, the Ramblers blew past their opponent. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:38:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 23743 at http://nhpr.org Game Of Change: Pivotal Matchup Helped End Segregated Hoops August Wilson's Words Get New Life In Monologue Contest http://nhpr.org/post/august-wilsons-words-get-new-life-monologue-contest When the stage lights go up at Chicago's Goodman Theatre on Monday evening, more than 20 high school students will each have a moment to step into the spotlight and perform a monologue from one of the plays written by the late August Wilson. Chicago's contest is one of several regional finals that strives to introduce students to the Pulitzer Prize winner's work. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:39:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 23317 at http://nhpr.org August Wilson's Words Get New Life In Monologue Contest An Oprah-less Chicago Tries To Keep Talk Show Spirit Alive http://nhpr.org/post/oprah-less-chicago-tries-keep-talk-show-spirit-alive It's been nearly two years since Oprah ended her daily show, and Chicago's been adjusting to the loss of the daytime talk queen. Although she left a huge void, there's no need to write an obituary for the TV talk genre in Chicago.<p>In the lobby of Chicago's NBC Towers, the crowd of excited fans gathered for a TV taping is reminiscent of the Oprah days of old. But instead of Oprah, they're lined up to see veteran comedian Steve Harvey's show.<p>"I like Steve's energy. I like his shows. He's funny. He covers all topics," says fan Deloris Neal.<p>And its Harvey's style that Tom Eugling likes. Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:30:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 22614 at http://nhpr.org An Oprah-less Chicago Tries To Keep Talk Show Spirit Alive Obama To Push State Of The Union Messages In Chicago http://nhpr.org/post/obama-push-state-union-messages-chicago Transcript <p>LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: <p>The president will leave the sequester debate behind this afternoon when he travels to Chicago. He's expected to talk about the gun violence that plagues his home town.<p>Fifteen-year-old Hadiya Pendleton became a symbol of the problem after she was murdered last month in a park about a mile from the president's Chicago home. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:12:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 22044 at http://nhpr.org Airport Suites Offer Travelers A Place To Nap On The Fly http://nhpr.org/post/airport-suites-offer-travelers-place-nap-fly When there's a big snowstorm or a plane has mechanical problems, airports often turn into uncomfortable holding pens, with people scrunched in chairs, lying on floors, filling up restaurants and otherwise trying to find something to do.<p>That's actually good news for one company. Minute Suites is building tiny airport retreats across the country. The suites are already operating in Atlanta and Philadelphia. Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:34:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 21920 at http://nhpr.org Airport Suites Offer Travelers A Place To Nap On The Fly First Lady Among Mourners At Funeral For Slain Chicago Teen http://nhpr.org/post/first-lady-among-mourners-funeral-slain-chicago-teen Hundreds of mourners, including first lady Michelle Obama, turned out Saturday for the funeral of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago girl who was shot to death just days after she and her high school band performed at inauguration events in Washington.<p>Her killing has catapulted her into the nation's debate over gun violence.<p>The first lady did not speak during Pendleton's funeral, but met privately with the family, and with her classmates and friends before the services. Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:07:00 +0000 Cheryl Corley 21680 at http://nhpr.org First Lady Among Mourners At Funeral For Slain Chicago Teen