Bill Kurtis to retire from role as judge on NPR's "Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!"
A man who is best known to generations of Chicagoans as CBS Chicago's principal anchorman will soon be retiring from his latest act on the airwaves.
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A man who is best known to generations of Chicagoans as CBS Chicago's principal anchorman will soon be retiring from his latest act on the airwaves.
A man who is best known to generations of Chicagoans as CBS Chicago's principal anchorman will soon be retiring from his second act on the airwaves.
Gene Siskel was the movie critic for Channel 2 News from 1974 until his death in 1999. In these clips from 1978 and 1979, we see some of his lighter moments in the newsroom, and particularly his repartee with anchorman Walter Jacobson.
Thirty years ago this week, temperatures in Chicago hit an all-time record of 106 degrees in a heat wave that ended up being to blame for 739 deaths. This is Channel 2 News coverage of the chain of events from Monday, July 17, through Friday, July 21, documenting the death count rising by the hundred, the criticism levied against Mayor Richard M. Daley as officials were caught by surprise, and air conditioner repair scams that cropped up amid the heat.
On July 12, 1995, the ribbon was cut for Navy Pier as it reopened as a top tourist destination. Christine Doyle reports on the spectacle, and Bill Kurtis takes a ride on the newly opened first Navy Pier Ferris wheel.
These are highlight clips of live coverage from Bill Kurtis, Walter Jacobson, and the Channel 2 News team of Pope John Paul II's visit to Chicago in October 1979, including a prayer service at Holy Name Cathedral where Luciano Pavarotti sang "Ave Maria," and of course, the pope's open-air mass in Grant Park. Original airdates: Oct. 4-5, 1979.
On April 20, 1981, Spanish Catalan artist Joan Miró's famous Chicago sculpture was unveiled next to what is now called the Cook County Administration Building. Before the unveiling, renowned Channel 2 anchorman Bill Kurtis visited with the soon-to-be-88-year-old Miró at his home in Majorca, Spain. After presenting Miró with some gifts on behalf of the City of Chicago, Kurtis asked the artist through an interpreter about his inspiration, his impressions of Chicago, what he hoped people would take away from his sculpture, and other topics. Taping date: March 26, 1981.
If the first televised debate had not happened between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon in 1960, what might have been different? Bill Kurtis has final thoughts in the 1985 documentary "The Great Debate."
Vice President Richard Nixon struggled with the appearance of a five o'clock shadow, a pale appearance, and other problems during the first televised presidential debate on Sept. 26, 1960, while observers said Sen. John F. Kennedy looked confident in front of the cameras. Bill Kurtis reports in this second part of the 1985 special "The Great Debate."
Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon participated the first ever televised debate on Sept. 26, 1960 at the old CBS Chicago studios. Bill Kurtis reports on the history of politics and broadcasting, and what had happened in the Nixon and Kennedy campaigns leading up to that moment, in the first part of this 1985 documentary, "The Great Debate."
Richard Speck had no shame about killing eight young women in 1966, and his comments on a 1988 videotape may have shed light on what was going on his mind. Bill Kurtis reports in this fifth segment of "Richard Speck Speaks." This report first aired Thursday, May 9, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this fourth segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis reports on a videotape obtained by CBS Chicago, showing killer Richard Speck and a cellmate at Stateville Prison in 1988. The tape showed sexual acts, drug use, and hedonism. Viewer discretion is advised. This report first aired Wednesday, May 8, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this third segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis looks back at the manhunt for Speck after he murdered eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966, and examines Speck's comments on the case in a 1988 videotape recorded at Stateville Prison. This report first aired Tuesday, May 7, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this second segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis reports on the Speck's cold-blooded confession as it appears a videocassette recorded at Stateville Prison in 1988. This report first aired Monday, May 6, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this first segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis recounts how Speck heinously murdered of eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966. This report first aired Sunday, May 5, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis has final thoughts to the people who were there for the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis talks to the people who were there about the characterization of the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a 'police riot,' and about the Chicago 7 Trial in this 1988 documentary.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis talks to the people who were there for the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis talks to the people who were there for the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
In Part 1 of this 1988 documentary, CBS 2's Bill Kurtis has a look back at the tension and unrest that boiled over during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, along with a montage of video from that time.
The Democratic National Convention was last held in Chicago in 1996, when President Bill Clinton was renominated. Lester Holt and Linda MacLennan anchor from the United Center, with live reports by Bill Kurtis, Mike Flannery, and Jay Levine.
This is CBS 2's coverage of the death of Mayor Harold Washington on Nov. 25, 1987. Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson anchor from our old newsroom at 630 N. McClurg Ct., and Jim Avila reports from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
CBS 2 provided extended coverage of the 1992 Great Chicago Flood and its aftermath throughout the ensuing week.
The sense of the city being brought to its knees was so profound at the time of the Great Chicago Flood of 1992 that it drew comparisons to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. CBS 2's Bill Kurtis reports.
This is CBS 2's 4:30 p.m. coverage of the Chicago Flood on April 13, 1992, with Bill Kurtis and Linda MacLennan. Jay Levine and John Drummond report live on efforts to stop and mitigate the flooding, Mike Parker reports on the investigation into the cause, and MWRD President Nick Melas explains how the flooding will be stopped.
There's a new push in Springfield to get gun manufacturers to foot some of the bills for the costs of gun crime; expenses like ambulances, funerals, lost wages, and more.
The Chatham community came together on Wednesday night to honor fallen Chicago police officer Thomas Wortham IV, 16 years after he was shot and killed.
A Chicago police officer's family said he's lucky to be alive after he was attacked on Tuesday night in the McKinley Park neighborhood.
Kyle Harrison struck out 11 in seven dominant innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the sloppy Chicago Cubs 5-0 to sweep the first series this season between the NL Central rivals.
A new report on Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's first 500 days in office shows sharp increases in felony charges and prison sentences in retail theft cases.
There's a new push in Springfield to get gun manufacturers to foot some of the bills for the costs of gun crime; expenses like ambulances, funerals, lost wages, and more.
Former Cuban leader Raúl Castro was indicted by a U.S. grand jury in connection with the Cuban military's fatal downing of two planes in 1996 — an escalation in the U.S. pressure campaign against the Cuban government.
Chicago city leaders on Wednesday announced a new effort to connect people with affordable housing.
Barney Frank, a Democrat who represented Massachusetts in Congress for 32 years, has died. He was 86 years old.
The $1.776 billion fund, which is part of the agreement to settle Trump's lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Dept., is to be used to compensate those who claim that the government weaponized the legal system against them.
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
One week away from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with gas prices remaining high, negotiations were set to resume Monday at the largest oil refinery in the Midwest.
Chatham residents say they're losing a vital resource as Walgreen's prepares to close its store near 86th and Cottage Grove.
According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Chicago was $5.17 on Friday, up from $3.75 a year ago.
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Company customers are likely to see minor credits on their bills for the next three years, thanks to a $125 million settlement agreement announced Thursday by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
A person suspected of having hantavirus in Winnebago County, Illinois, turned out to be a false alarm, officials said Monday.
The DuPage County Health Department has confirmed its first positive tests for West Nile virus in pools of mosquitoes this year.
The Kane County Health Department was set Monday to offer a free mental health awareness webinar.
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
Engineers at Northwestern University have created a wireless polygraph to detect stress.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
DraftKings announced Monday that it is closing its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after only about two years.
After more than 80 years, there will be no Ann Sather restaurant location in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community, effective in June.
Flight attendants at Chicago-based United Airlines have approved a new labor contract, marking their first pay increases in six years.
The Chicago Fire FC announced Wednesday morning that its new stadium in the South Loop will be named McDonald's Park.
Bill Pullinsi, a Chicago-area stage director and producer widely called the "father of dinner theater," has died.
The Chicago-born house music track, which began as a personal poem in 1982 and became a defining anthem of the city's house music scene, has been selected for permanent preservation by the Library of Congress.
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
David Allan Coe also had hits with "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" and "The Ride" among others.
Some youngsters got a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of making opera Sunday at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Meteorologist David Yeomans has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
There's a new push in Springfield to get gun manufacturers to foot some of the bills for the costs of gun crime; expenses like ambulances, funerals, lost wages, and more.
The Chatham community came together on Wednesday night to honor fallen Chicago police officer Thomas Wortham IV, 16 years after he was shot and killed.
A Chicago police officer's family said he's lucky to be alive after he was attacked on Tuesday night in the McKinley Park neighborhood. Officer Kevin Mangan has a long road ahead because of the injuries he suffered.
Two children and two adults are dead, and two other children are injured after a house fire in Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood early Wednesday morning, Chicago police said.
Antonio Wilson said his parents and two of their four foster children were killed. The two other foster children survived.
A Chicago police officer's family said he's lucky to be alive after he was attacked on Tuesday night in the McKinley Park neighborhood.
There's a new push in Springfield to get gun manufacturers to foot some of the bills for the costs of gun crime; expenses like ambulances, funerals, lost wages, and more.
The Chatham community came together on Wednesday night to honor fallen Chicago police officer Thomas Wortham IV, 16 years after he was shot and killed.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling put parents on notice about teen takeovers in the city this summer.
Many Metra riders with disabilities have been forced to reroute their trips due to Monday's closure of the only elevator providing access to the Electric Line at Millennium Station in downtown Chicago.
Pothole complaints continue everywhere, but especially on one street in the Pullman neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
People in Lincoln Park and Lakeview have rallied against a plan to build a new industrial ComEd electrical substation in their neighborhoods, pushing local and state leaders to get involved.
Monday marks one year since Illinois enacted Karina's Law — legislation aimed at taking firearms out of the hands of people accused of domestic abuse.
Tenants at a South Shore apartment building said they've noticed their rent fluctuating by hundreds of dollars a month due to a change in how their utility billing system is set up.
Kyle Harrison struck out 11 in seven dominant innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the sloppy Chicago Cubs 5-0 to sweep the first series this season between the NL Central rivals.
Jhonny Pereda hit his first MLB homer, Randy Arozarena also went deep and scored three runs, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 5-4.
Andrew Benintendi drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single in the ninth inning, four Chicago pitchers held Seattle to one hit, and the White Sox beat the Mariners 2-1.
Jacob Misiorowski pitched six scoreless innings, Brice Turang was 3 for 4 with a two-run homer, and the Milwaukee Brewers topped the Chicago Cubs 5-2 to move into first place in the NL Central.
Rickea Jackson's promising first season with the Chicago Sky is over after it barely began after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday's win against the Minnesota Lynx.
Chicago police on Wednesday were searching for seven people in connection with an armed robbery at the Thorndale CTA Red Line stop earlier this month.
A man was shot in the legs early Wednesday morning in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood.
Three teens were wounded during two separate shootings in Chicago's Austin neighborhood.
A man was shot and killed in the north Chicago suburb of Skokie early Tuesday.
A man is being held in custody on charges that he tricked two young women into believing he was an art student working on a photography project in Chicago's Northalsted district, and went on to sexually abuse one of them.
