David Schaper
David Schaper is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk, based in Chicago, primarily covering transportation and infrastructure, as well as breaking news in Chicago and the Midwest.
In this role, Schaper covers aviation and airlines, railroads, the trucking and freight industries, highways, transit, and new means of mobility such as ride hailing apps, car sharing, and shared bikes and scooters. In addition, he reports on important transportation safety issues, as well as the politics behind transportation and infrastructure policy and funding.
Since joining NPR in 2002, Schaper has covered some of the nation's most important news stories, including the Sandy Hook school shooting and other mass shootings, Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, California wildfires, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and numerous other disasters. David has also reported on presidential campaigns in Iowa and elsewhere, on key races for U.S. Senate and House, governorships, and other offices in the Midwest, and he reported on the rise of Barack Obama from relative political obscurity in Chicago to the White House. Along the way, he's brought listeners and online readers many colorful stories about Chicago politics, including the corruption trials and convictions of two former Illinois governors.
But none of that compares to the joy of covering his beloved Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016, and three Stanley Cup Championships for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Prior to joining NPR, Schaper spent almost a decade working as an award-winning reporter and editor for WBEZ/Chicago Public Media, NPR's Member station in Chicago. For three years he covered education issues, reporting in-depth on the problems and progress — financial, educational and otherwise — in Chicago's public schools.
Schaper also served as WBEZ's Assistant Managing Editor of News, managing the station's daily news coverage and editing the reporting staff while often still reporting himself. He later served as WBEZ's political editor and reporter; he was a frequent fill-in news anchor and talk show host. Additionally, he has been an occasional contributor guest panelist on Chicago public television station WTTW's news program, Chicago Tonight.
Schaper began his journalism career in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as a reporter and anchor at Wisconsin Public Radio's WLSU-FM. He has since worked in both public and commercial radio news, including stints at WBBM NewsRadio in Chicago, WXRT-FM in Chicago, WDCB-FM in suburban Chicago, WUIS-FM in Springfield, Illinois, WMAY-AM in Springfield, Illinois, and WIZM-AM and FM in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Schaper earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications and history at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a master's degree in public affairs reporting at the University of Illinois-Springfield. He lives in Chicago with his wife, a Chicago Public School teacher, and they have three adult children.
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As millions of Americans return to the skies, some airlines are struggling to meet demand, and deal with a spike in unruly behavior by passengers — mostly over the mask mandate.
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The Biden administration is taking aim at airline fees for things like checked bags and extra legroom — and looking at ways to increase competition in an industry dominated by just four airlines.
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As infrastructure talks continue, key differences have emerged. Most Republicans want highways and bridges. Democrats do too, as well as money for passenger rail, transit and climate initiatives.
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United Airlines wants to bring back supersonic air travel, like crossing the Atlantic in three hours — but many have questions about the promise of a net-zero carbon footprint startup.
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As Americans start to fly again, incidents involving unruly airline passengers are taking off. Fights over people refusing to wear masks are especially common.
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As coronavirus restrictions are eased, how will travelers prove they've been vaccinated? Paper vaccination cards can be easily forged, damaged or lost and there's no universal digital passport yet.
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Over 90,000 customers complained about airlines refusing to refund canceled travel in the pandemic last year; 57 times more than 2019. Many are fighting for refunds while some face expiring vouchers.
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More than a year after the pandemic seriously curtailed leisure air travel, airlines are focusing on the pent up demand for vacations. To lure vacationers, airlines are launching new routes.
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Hundreds of people gathered in the Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis Thursday for the funeral of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, killed April 11 when he was shot by a suburban Minneapolis police officer.
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At George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, a crowd gathered when they heard that the jury had reached a verdict.
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We look at the security for Minneapolis and nearby areas, including a quiet protest outside the Brooklyn Center police station.
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We take a look at the young life of Daunte Wright, the 20-year-old shot dead by Brooklyn Center police.