Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday. And I have the Downton Abbey theme song stuck in my head, because my husband binge watched a bunch of episodes last night. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)
1. Voting is underway in Super Tuesday states
Voters in 14 states are casting their ballots today in the Democratic presidential race. That also means that more than a third of all delegates for the Democratic National Convention are up for grabs today.
WBEZ will air special coverage and analysis of tonight’s election results beginning at 7 p.m. CST. You can listen online or at 91.5 FM.
The field of candidates has narrowed considerably in the last few days, with Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar ending their presidential bids. Will their supporters flock to former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren or former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg? Tonight may give us an answer. [NPR]
2. Coronavirus fears begin to directly affect Chicago’s economy
A trade show slated to take place at McCormick Place was canceled over concerns of the deadly virus.
The cancellation of the Inspired Home Show, which brings close to 60,000 visitors, is a major blow to McCormick Place and raises questions about future conventions, reports Crain’s Chicago Business. [Crain’s]
Meanwhile, a person suspected of having the coronavirus is being treated at the University of Chicago Medical Center. [Chicago Tribune]
And the Federal Reserve, hoping to boost the U.S. economy, cut a key interest rate by half a percentage point, the largest cut since the 2008 financial crisis. But the move failed to calm investors who are nervous about the virus’ impact on the world economy. [NPR]
3. Tennessee tornadoes kill at least 22 people
Devastating tornadoes struck Nashville earlier today and left a trail of destruction throughout central Tennessee. First responders fear the death toll could climb as they continue to search for victims.
The Associated Press reports that in Nashville, “roofs had been torn off apartment buildings, large trees uprooted and debris littered many sidewalks. Walls were peeled away, exposing living rooms and kitchens in damaged homes. Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars, streets and piles of rubble.”
A spokeswoman for Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said hundreds of people have been displaced. [AP]
4. Iran nearly triples its stockpile of enriched uranium
That’s according to the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency, and that means Iran may be closer to building a nuclear bomb than previously thought. Iran, however, insists it does not want to build a bomb.
Iran’s decision to ramp up production of enriched uranium comes after President Donald Trump decided to pull the U.S. out of a 2015 nuclear accord. That deal placed limits on how much enriched uranium Iran could stockpile. [AP]
5. Trial begins for man accused of killing Chicago police commander
Opening statements began today in the trial of Shomari Legghette, a four-time felon accused of murdering Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer.
Bauer, a veteran on the force and beloved by his colleagues, was fatally shot in 2018 as he and Legghette struggled in a stairwell outside of the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, prosecutors say.
Legghette is reportedly expected to claim he shot Bauer in self-defense. If found guilty by a jury, Legghette could face a life sentence. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Here’s what else is happening
Here’s a look at how a video gambling company played the odds in Illinois. [ProPublica Illinois]
The core supporters of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx say the Jussie Smollett scandal is a distraction. [WBEZ]
The man wanted in the stabbing death of a gay Latino man in Chicago was known to impersonate cops, neighbors say. [Block Club Chicago]
Jurors in the Harvey Weinstein trial give an inside look into a “stressful” 26 hours. [New York Times]
Oh, and one more thing …
Folks in Chicago do not mess around when it comes to “dibs,” the common practice of shoveling snow out of a parking spot and then reserving it with something, like a chair.
WBEZ’s Curious City looks at what happens when dibs turns violent and becomes dangerous. They found that 51 tires were slashed, 12 windows were broken and a car was egged and floured, according to police reports filed after big snow storms in 2011, 2015 and 2018. [WBEZ]
Tell me something good …
Spring doesn’t officially begin until later this month, but it feels like we’re already out of the long, dark tunnel that is winter. What are you most excited to do now that winter seems to be over (for now)?
Torey writes:
“I’m so ready for the outdoor season of the Logan Square Farmers Market! Last year, my partner and I got kohlrabi, which is a strange, alien-like vegetable. Turns out you can cook them into delicious fritters!”
And Tom writes:
“Looking forward to having our morning coffee on our balcony. Same goes for our evening glass of wine.”
What are you looking forward to this spring? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.
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