Hey there! It’s Thursday! And don’t forget to wear your gloves in this weather. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Who is the top contender to replace Johnson at CPD?

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson made it official today: He’s retiring after three-and-a-half years as the city’s top cop. Johnson said he will stay on the force until the end of the year.

While Mayor Lori Lightfoot remained mum on who would replace Johnson, sources told WBEZ that former Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck is the leading candidate to take over on an interim basis. Beck has been credited for implementing key reforms at the LAPD and improving community relations.

The mayor’s office said in a press release that an interim superintendent will be appointed “in the coming days” as the Chicago Police Board begins searching for a permanent replacement. [WBEZ]

Here’s a look at some possible contenders to lead the police department. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, some members of the City Council are urging Lightfoot to select someone within the Chicago Police Department. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. A look inside ComEd’s “shadow lobbying”

A WBEZ analysis found that Commonwealth Edison hired several clout-heavy contractors “to build a dominant political influencing machine” that’s powered by money collected from ComEd’s more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois. Those contractors have ties to political A-listers like Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and indicted Chicago Ald. Ed Burke.

The news comes as ComEd’s lobbying and contracting practices are central to a wide-ranging federal criminal investigation into whether the power company hired politically connected employees and contractors in exchange for favorable government actions, including rate hikes. [WBEZ]

3. Bolton is reportedly willing to testify in the impeachment inquiry … if a court says so

Former national security adviser John Bolton’s name has repeatedly popped up during the impeachment inquiry, with multiple State Department and national security officials testifying that Bolton expressed deep concerns over President Donald Trump’s strategy with Ukraine.

Now, Bolton is willing to appear before House impeachment investigators if a federal judge clears the way, reports The Washington Post, citing people familiar with his views. The White House claims current and prior advisers are immune from testifying, an argument House Democrats reject. Bolton reportedly wants a court to settle what has been called a “momentous constitutional dispute” between the Trump administration and Congress.

Bolton, who has not been subpoenaed by the House, declined to appear before investigators today. [Washington Post]

Meanwhile, here’s a look at who was on the July 25 call between Trump and Ukraine’s leader that sparked the impeachment inquiry. [NPR]

4. Walgreens handed out 1 in 5 of the most addictive opioids at the height of the crisis

That’s according to an analysis from The Washington Post, which found that Deerfield-based Walgreens “dominated the nation’s retail opioid market from 2006 through 2012, buying about 13 billion pills — 3 billion more than CVS, its closest competitor.”

Unlike most of its competitors, Walgreens had greater control over how many pills it sent to stores because it obtained almost all of them directly from drug manufacturers, the Post found. Now, Walgreens is being accused in court for failing to alert federal federal authorities to suspicious orders. [Washington Post]

5. The U.S. and China agree to roll back some tariffs

The move marks a significant step in de-escalating the trade war between the world’s two largest economies and would offer relief to businesses and consumers who have struggled with higher prices because of the tariffs.

Today’s news, announced by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, suggests both countries are getting closer to an interim trade deal. That deal, called a “phase one” agreement, has not been finalized. But it is widely expected to include a pledge from the U.S. to stop another round of tariffs on Chinese goods next month. Those tariffs would affect toys, mobile phones and computers. [Politico]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Trump was ordered to pay $2 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged he misused funds from the now-defunct Trump Foundation. [NPR]

• Flash floods could become the new norm for towns across the U.S. [NPR]

• Three Chicago hospitals received D grades in patient safety from a leading medical watchdog group. [Chicago Tribune]

• A podcast about the cost of health care in America has been nominated for a “true crime” award. [An Arm And A Leg]

Oh, and one more thing …

An argument broke out between some of us in the newsroom about who is more legendary: the Humboldt Park Lagoon alligator or the Montrose Beach piping plovers?

I am squarely in the corner of the endangered piping plovers, named Monty and Rose. The birds were the first piping plovers to nest in Chicago in 64 years, and they caused the cancellation of an EDM (electronic dance music) concert over the summer. Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced that Nov. 18 will officially be “Piping Plover Day.”

But one of my desk neighbors is backing the Humboldt Park alligator, who was named “Chance the Snapper.” That whole saga came to an end when local officials flew in an alligator expert from Florida, dubbed Alligator Robb. Turns out, Alligator Robb has a coloring book coming out this week called The Adventures of Chicago Chance and Frank Robb.

Please feel free to weigh in on this argument so we can settle it once and for all.

Tell me something good …

The fall TV season is upon us, so what shows are you currently watching?

Heather Hutchins writes:

“I’m watching PERFECT HARMONY with my 70+ year-old Mom. She lost it on the latest episode where Bradley Whitford (aka Arthur on the show) was twerking like a Chip and Dale dancer. I had to watch the whole twerk AGAIN—it was that funny. God bless actors who take big chances !”

And Jill C.T. writes:

“Just watched Living with Yourself starring Paul Rudd AND Paul Rudd! Not only is it a double dose of his adorable-ness, he did a wonderful job distinguishing the two versions of his character. It was funny and creepy, and at eight half-hour eps, easy to binge. Impressive acting, quirky story, highly entertaining!”

What are you currently watching? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

Have a nice night! I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.