David Schaper

After The Storm: Students Gather For One More School Day

David Schaper — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:05:00 +0000

Under cloudy skies and through intermittent showers, 4-year-old Kamrin Ramirez holds in her little hands two cards, one addressed to Ms. Patterson, the other for Ms. Johnson, her two preschool teachers at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla.

"I write thank you so much," she says.

Plaza Towers was obliterated by Monday's powerful twister, and seven children died beneath the rubble there.

Goat's Head Sent To Cubs Owner Not From The 'Rahm-Father'

David Schaper — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:34:00 +0000

While many in Chicago immediately thought of the famous "Billy Goat curse," when a severed goat's head was delivered to Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts at Wrigley Field this week, I immediately wondered if it was a message from the "Rahm-father," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

After all, Ricketts is in the midst of intense negotiations with Emanuel's administration over renovating the iconic 99-year old ballpark, as I reported last week.

The famously short-tempered Emanuel may be gr

Checking In On Chicago Schools' 'Safe Passage' Program

David Schaper — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:18:00 +0000

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Robert Siegel. President Obama was in Chicago today, promoting what he calls ladders of opportunity to the middle class. It's the latest stop of his post-State of the Union tour, fleshing out the proposals from Tuesday night's speech. At a high school near his southside Chicago home, the president said reducing urban gun violence is essential to economic development.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Because it's very hard to develop economically if people don't feel safe.

Illinois Claws At Mountain Of Unfunded Pension Liability

David Schaper — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:26:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H62W9iLfKv4

Near-Replica Of Sandy Hook Made Nearby For Students

David Schaper — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:01:00 +0000

The surviving students of Sandy Hook Elementary will not be returning to their school in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six educators were shot to death on Dec. 14.

Instead, when classes resume after the holidays, they'll attend a school in the neighboring town of Monroe. Parents, teachers and administrators in both towns are working to make the new school as similar as possible to the one Sandy Hook students left behind.

The Monroe Congregational Church is helping prepare for the transition.

N.J. Spars Over Free Beach Access Post-Sandy

David Schaper — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:33:00 +0000

At an oceanfront park in Long Branch, N.J., Tim Dillingham looks out over the beach in awe of how much the pounding waves and high waters of Hurricane Sandy have changed the Jersey shore.

Dillingham is the executive director of the American Littoral Society, a coastal conservation group. Before the storm, he says, the U.S.

Post Sandy: Atlantic City Wants Its Tourists Back

David Schaper — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:47:00 +0000

A month after Hurricane Sandy pounded the New Jersey Shore, Atlantic City is back in business. Even though most of the casinos and restaurants sustained very little damage in the storm, they're now suffering from a lack of visitors.

In Chicago, Violence Soars And Witnesses Go Silent

David Schaper — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:32:00 +0000

It's an old problem and an old code — "don't snitch." And it exists everywhere.

But in Chicago, where homicides and shootings are up significantly this year, that old code is leaving a rising number of violent crimes unsolved.

Senate Win In Wis. A 'Turning Point' For Gay Rights

David Schaper — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:38:00 +0000

Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's sexual orientation was never really a factor in her victorious campaign against Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson. Advocates for gay rights see that as a watershed moment for the movement.

Baldwin won a seat many thought she couldn't, defeating one of the state's most successful politicians in the process. The celebration Tuesday night in Madison was euphoric.

The enthusiastic crowd was never louder than when Baldwin acknowledged making history.

"I am well aware that I will be the first openly gay member of the U.S.

Democrats See Opportunity In Fiery Illinois House Race

David Schaper — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:43:00 +0000

One of the most bitter congressional races is in the suburbs of Chicago, where controversial freshman Republican Joe Walsh is fighting to keep a seat he was actually drawn out of.

The Tea Party favorite's bombastic rants frequently get him into trouble, even with members of his own party, and Walsh is facing a tough Democratic opponent in Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, who lost both of her legs in combat.

When the two political opponents get together, it doesn't take long for the fireworks to begin.