David Schaper

Mississippi River's Many 'Parents' Look To Unify

David Schaper — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:05:00 +0000

Life on the Mississippi River is a roller coaster of highs and lows: record high floodwaters one year, a drought and near-record low water levels the next.

Boston Slowly Returns To Sense Of Normalcy

David Schaper — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:02:00 +0000

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

In Boston and surrounding communities, things are getting back to normal after a frightening week.

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

David Schaper — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:04:00 +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

Chicago Commuters Brace For Delays During Bridge Repair

David Schaper — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:45:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHBK-v4LSco

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 23:13:00 +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 10:12:00 +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 10:43:00 +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.

Baseball Autographs Get A Digital Upgrade

David Schaper — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 23:15:00 +0000

On her 22nd birthday this summer, Sarah Wagner of suburban Wheaton, Ill., who describes herself as a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, opened an email to find an incredible surprise — a recorded message from her favorite Cubs player:

"Hey, Sarah! Kerry Wood here! Thanks for your message and I hope you're having a great summer!"

"When I heard for the first time, I instantly smiled," says Wagner.

Senate Seat Up For Grabs In Wisconsin

David Schaper — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:49:00 +0000

One of the most important seats in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate is in Wisconsin, where Democrat Herb Kohl is retiring. Early polls showed popular former Gov. Tommy Thompson might easily flip the seat to the GOP, but he's now trailing Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin. It's a race that's going down to the wire in this almost evenly divided state.

The liberal congresswoman from Madison was considered the underdog after Republicans nominated the four-term ex-governor in August.

Drought's Effects Keep Expanding

David Schaper — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:52:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This summer's drought is not helping the wildfire situation, and the drought is also deeply harming the nation's agricultural economy.

Soaked In Drought: Lessons From The Dust Bowl

David Schaper — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:51:00 +0000

This summer's drought continues to wilt and bake crops from Ohio to the Great Plains and beyond. Under a baking, late-afternoon sun just outside of the tiny east-central Illinois town of Thawville, John Hildenbrand walks down his dusty, gravel driveway toward one of his corn fields.

"You can see on the outer edge, these are a lot better-looking ears on the outside rows. Of course, it's not near as hot as it is inside the field," he says.

Walking deeper into the 7-foot-high corn stalks, the temperature — already in the 90s — becomes stifling. Here, the ears are smaller.

As Strikes Wane, Caterpillar Workers Hold the Line

David Schaper — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:25:00 +0000

Whenever a car or truck turns off busy Channahon Road onto the long drive to the Caterpillar plant in Joliet, Ill., a handful of union workers on a picket line scream, "Scab!

Walker Moves Forward As The Right's Newest 'Hero'

David Schaper — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:41:00 +0000

Republican Gov. Scott Walker triumphantly returned to the Wisconsin Capitol Wednesday, fresh off of his decisive victory in Tuesday's bitter recall election.

The governor appears to be emerging from the tough recall fight stronger, and with his national profile rising.

Earlier Wednesday, Walker thanked voters at a factory outside Milwaukee.

Gubernatorial Recall Election Polarizes Wis. Voters

David Schaper — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:57:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's been more than a year since Wisconsin Democrats began talking about recalling the state's governor, Scott Walker. Next week they'll get their chance to do it. Last night, Walker and his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, traded barbs in their final debate before Tuesday's vote. Turnout is expected to be very high, as the recall is sharply dividing voters in Wisconsin, so much so, some have just stopped talking to each other.

Chicago Outsider Busted Crime With Apolitical Flare

David Schaper — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:16:00 +0000

Patrick Fitzgerald, the federal prosecutor who went after the Gambino crime family, al-Qaida and even the White House in court — not to mention several Illinois politicians — is leaving his job as U.S. attorney in Chicago.

The career prosecutor, known as "Eliot Ness with a Harvard degree," will leave a legacy as a tenacious corruption buster, though some criticize his style as overzealous.

Even though they are presidential appointees, U.S. attorneys are supposed to be as apolitical as possible. Some say Fitzgerald took the political independence of the U.S.

Chicago PD Uses New Way To Deal With Protesters

David Schaper — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:30:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

More than 50 world leaders come to Chicago this weekend for a summit meeting of NATO, the North Atlantic Alliance. They will discuss, among other things, how to end the war in Afghanistan. They will talk in a city where anti-war protestors famously clashed with police outside the 1968 Democratic convention. In 2012, anti-war activists are making preparations.

Lack Of Support Puts The Brakes On High-Speed Rail

David Schaper — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Three years ago, President Obama was rolling out an ambitious vision for high-speed rail in America. "Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 mph," the president said at the time.

Today, there are a few Amtrak trains going that fast, but for the most part, the president's plans for high-speed trains have slowed considerably.

On Amtrak's Wolverine service, which goes from Chicago to Ann Arbor, Mich., and then to Detroit and Pontiac, Mich., the train reaches speeds of up to 110 mph. It's the fastest of any U.S. train outside the Northeast Corridor.

Milwaukee Mayor To Face Gov. Walker In Recall Election

David Schaper — Wed, 09 May 2012 08:22:00 +0000

Voters in Wisconsin Tuesday, chose the Democrat who will face Republican Governor Scott Walker in next month's gubernatorial recall election. The winning Democrat was Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Wis. Primary To Choose A Candidate To Face Walker

David Schaper — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Shortly after he took office last winter, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and fellow Republicans in the Legislature enraged Democrats and public employee unions by cutting collective bargaining rights, and Wisconsin has been on fire politically ever since.

Chicago Wants Longer School Day; Foes Want Details

David Schaper — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:38:00 +0000

Most kids in Chicago's public schools spend just five hours and 45 minutes in school a day. It's one of the shortest school days in the country.

That's why more than half of the city's public elementary schools have no recess. At those that do, it's shockingly short.

"We have a 10-minute recess and a 10-minute lunch at our school," says Wendy Katten, mother of a third-grader at Burley Elementary School in Chicago. "It's not sufficient."

The city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, wants to change that.

Alleged $30M Theft By Comptroller Stuns Ill. City

David Schaper — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:02:00 +0000

The top financial official for the small city of Dixon, Ill., is accused of stealing more than $30 million from city coffers over the past six years.

Kinzinger, Jackson Jr. Among Ill. Primary Winners

David Schaper — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Mitt Romney won the Illinois Republican primary convincingly yesterday, as we've been reporting elsewhere in the program. Illinois voters were not just voting for presidential candidates, though, there were congressional primaries as well. Redistricting made things very interesting. Two Republican incumbents had to run against one another, and a high-profile Democratic incumbent got a challenge from a former colleague.

In Illinois, Candidates Make A Final Delegate Dash

David Schaper — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:18:00 +0000

It's another furious dash to the finish line as delegate-rich Illinois holds its Republican presidential primary Tuesday.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is looking to increase his delegate lead. And he's still searching for that decisive win over his main rival, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

While polls show Romney with a slight lead in Illinois, it's far from a sure thing.

Incumbents Face Off In Illinois After Redistricting

David Schaper — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:55:00 +0000

Redistricting is forcing a handful of congressional incumbents of the same party to run against each other in primaries. On March 6, Rep. Marcy Kaptur defeated fellow liberal Democrat Rep. Dennis Kucinich in Ohio.

And next Tuesday, two conservative Republicans square off in Illinois.

The scene is the newly drawn 16th Congressional District, which covers mostly rural territory in the northern part of the state, curving around the suburbs and exurbs of Chicago, from the Wisconsin border north of Rockford to the Indiana border east of Kankakee.

The race pits 10-term veteran Rep.

As Elkhart's Electric Dreams Fizzle, RVs Come Back

David Schaper — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Elkhart, Ind., is known as the RV capital of the world. The city suffered badly when the recession hit and demand for recreational vehicles all but screeched to a halt. That's when local and state leaders started looking for ways to bolster the area's manufacturing industry.

The unemployment rate in the city along the Michigan border eventually soared to 20 percent — the highest in the nation at the time.

Electric cars were supposed to help revive Elkhart's economy.