Chicago Tribune

Returning to Taste, Carbon Live Fire still fighting fallout from food poisoning outbreak

As lunchtime customers streamed into Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill on a recent weekday to order tilapia tacos and steak burritos, there was little sign that a year ago the Bridgeport restaurant was the site of Chicago's biggest food poisoning outbreak in almost a decade.<p>The fast-casual restaurant …

Morning Spin: Democrats governor candidates campaign as Rauner threatens more special sessions

<i>Welcome</i> <i>to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.</i><p><b>Topspin</b><p>As Gov. Bruce Rauner tries to keep the pressure on Democrats by threatening more special session days in Springfield, his …

Ultra Foods closing in Calumet Park leaves void

The only traditional grocery store in south suburban Calumet Park is closed, half the shopping center sits vacant and prospects for any quick solutions appear bleak.<p>A handwritten sign on the door of the recently shuttered Ultra Foods directs would-be shoppers to Strack & Van Til stores in Indiana, …

LeBron James teaming with Showtime on NBA documentary

LeBron James will help tell a story he's still shaping.<p>The Cavaliers superstar is teaming with Showtime on a documentary that will examine the modern NBA and the league's impact on popular culture. James, who has been producing TV and movie projects for several years, will serve as an executive …

White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia to have MRI on sore left knee

Avisail Garcia will have an MRI on his sore left knee Thursday, but the White Sox right fielder said he thinks he is “OK.”<p>Garcia exited a 12-3 loss to the Yankees in the top of the ninth inning after tweaking his knee sliding back into first base on a pickoff attempt in the seventh.<p>Garcia walked …

Report: More than half of hate crimes in U.S. go unreported

The majority of hate crimes experienced by U.S. residents over a 12-year period were not reported to police, according to a new federal report released Thursday that stoked advocates' concerns about ongoing tensions between law enforcement and black and Latino communities.<p>More than half of the …

White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia on his sore knee

Sports Baseball Chicago White Sox<p>White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia on his sore knee. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

Carlos Rodon and Rick Renteria on the White Sox loss to the Yankees

Cubs pitcher John Lackey: 'We got to continue on'

Cubs pitcher John Lackey talks about the loss to the Nationals and replacing Miguel Montero. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Kris Bryant's injury

Sports Baseball Chicago Cubs<p>Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses Kris Bryant's injured ankle. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)<p>Kris Bryant<br>• Joe Maddon<p>Cubs lose slugger Kris Bryant to ankle sprain in 8-4 loss to Nationals

Division and mistrust undercut Senate push on health care bill

Sen. Dean Heller was sitting two seats away from President Donald Trump and facing his grim-faced colleagues this week when he decided to crack a pointed joke.<p>Heller — a square-jawed, sandy-haired, moderate Republican — said the attack ads against him, paid for by a Trump-allied super PAC, should …

Cubs' Todd Ricketts challenges Nationals during White House visit

The Cubs' visit to the White House provided some bulletin board material from board member <b>Todd Ricketts</b> and not President <b>Donald Trump.</b><p>As several Cubs players, coaches and front office members crowded the president's desk in the Oval Office, Ricketts was caught on camera saying of the Nationals: …

Cubs pitchers have more to chew with young catchers

John Lackey has shown the ability to recover after some of his roughest starts, such as his seven shutout innings at Colorado on May 9 and his six innings of two-hit ball at Pittsburgh on June 18.<p>A bigger issue for Lackey and the Cubs’ pitching staff, however, may be getting acclimated in a hurry …

U.S. sets new visa rules for 6 mainly Muslim nations, refugees

The Trump administration on Wednesday set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a "close" family or business tie to the United States. The move came after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump's executive order that was …

Venezuela hunts for helicopter pilot behind 'terrorist attack'

Oscar Perez is a cop, pilot, action movie star and dog trainer. He's now also a fugitive, accused of strafing two key Venezuelan government buildings from a helicopter in a quixotic attempt to set off a revolt against President Nicolas Maduro.<p>Authorities on Wednesday conducted a nationwide manhunt …

Cubs catcher Miguel Montero is gone, but his hashtag lives on

Maybe Miguel Montero got what he deserved for deflecting the blame to Jake Arrieta after the Nationals stole seven bases against them Tuesday night.<p>Maybe it was a desperate cry for attention from a player on his last legs who hasn't gotten much playing time since Willson Contreras took his job.<p>Or …

Yankees 12, White Sox 3

Nationals 8, Cubs 4

Appalachian wrestling's new villain calls himself 'Progressive Liberal'

It was a strange sight, even for the "sport" of professional wrestling.<p>A wrestler holding a microphone faced an Appalachian crowd before a match and began unleashing a torrent of insults, the nature of which seemed out of place at a pro wrestling tournament.<p>"I understand now why you all identify …

Pope Francis' top financial adviser charged with sex offenses in Australia

Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of "historical" sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See.<p>Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the …

Rauner, Madigan talk 'compromise' while doing little of it

During a special session that's costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars a day without any results, both Democrats and Republicans are talking up the idea of compromise without publicly doing much to reach one.<p>Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has blanketed his social media accounts with calls for …

White Sox walk party includes a first for catcher Kevan Smith

<b>Kevan Smith</b> was one of six White Sox players to take a walk in the eighth and ninth innings Tuesday night against the Yankees, and the Sox catcher was keenly aware of what it meant — beyond helping to set up a walk-off victory.<p>Smith's walk with one out in the ninth against Yankees reliever <b>Dellin</b> …

CTU President Lewis criticizes district's 'usurious' borrowing deal

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said Wednesday that school district officials are "borrowing money at usurious rates" instead of directing scarce resources toward classrooms, criticisms that come as another education budget cycle draws to a close and school communities again look ahead …

Emanuel splits with City Hall watchdog on court oversight of police reform

A day after his handpicked City Hall watchdog called for a federal judge to oversee Chicago police reforms, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday again defended his approach to instead partner with President Donald Trump's Justice Department to make the changes outside of court.<p>The mayor continued to dig …

Warriors' Stephen Curry to play Web.com Tour's Ellie Mae Classic

Two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry is set to test his golf game against the pros.<p>The Web.com Tour said Wednesday that Curry, coming off his second NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, will play in the Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae on Aug. 3-6.<p>It'll be the first PGA Tour-sanctioned …

Trump immigration, sanctuary city policies face first big legislative test

President Donald Trump on Wednesday highlighted what he called the dangers posed by illegal immigrants ahead of an important House vote on two bills aimed at cracking down on those who commit crimes and cities that refuse to help deport them.<p>Appearing with families that were victimized by …

FBI agent indicted, accused of lying about gunshots during Oregon standoff

A special agent with the elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team has been indicted and accused of trying to cover up the firing of gunshots during an encounter with a member of an armed group who occupied an Oregon wildlife refuge last year.<p>The indictment - filed last week and made public Wednesday - does …

'Smiling Assassin' Brooke Henderson defending her LPGA major at Olympia Fields

Ask the "Smiling Assassin" about her nickname, and Brooke Henderson responds just as you'd hope.<p>She beams, exposing a beautiful set of front teeth.<p>"That's what people say," she replied with a laugh. "I'd like to think I'm pretty tough on the course, but I also like to teach everybody that you can …

Indiana's 82-75 victory keeps Sky winless at home

Candice Dupree scored 17 points, Briann January had 10 points and seven assists, and the Indiana Fever beat the Sky 82-75 on Wednesday at Allstate Arena.<p>Chicago has lost seven straight home games to begin the season, tying a franchise record.<p>Erica Wheeler made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points …

Enterprise CarShare is officially pulling out of most Chicago locations

Enterprise CarShare is ending its regular service in Chicago — and five other cities. But if you’re a college student or professor, you might still be in luck.<p>The company that bought Chicago’s first car-sharing operation told members Wednesday it is officially closing its “retail” business in …