Hey there! It’s Thursday, and a heads up: A “reimagined” Air and Water Show is this weekend, so don’t be alarmed if you hear jets, which is … always … great. Here’s what you need to know today.

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1. Lead investigator says he was suspended in an effort to derail probe into Chicago lifeguard abuse allegations

The lead investigator for the probe into sexual violence against Chicago lifeguards alleged today that top park district officials forced him off the high-profile case in an effort to “impede and obstruct” the internal investigation, reports WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos.

The investigator, Nathan Kipp, said he was given no reason for the suspension, and it was ordered by “unidentified officials from the Park District’s Administration” — the same administration Kipp’s office is tasked with monitoring.

Kipp is now calling on the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to take over the investigation.

WBEZ first reported that investigators have been looking into allegations that dozens of Park District employees regularly committed sexual misconduct against female lifeguards — including minors — at public beaches and pools across Chicago. The investigation has dragged on for 17 months. [WBEZ]

2. About 30 school districts are on probation for violating Illinois mask mandate

With the new academic year quickly approaching, dozens of school districts are on probation for refusing to follow Gov. JB Pritzker’s mask mandate. As the Chicago Tribune reports, several districts have done a 180 and are following the mandate after being put on probation.

Districts put on probation are notified by officials at the Illinois State Board of Education and must submit a “corrective plan.” [Chicago Tribune]

In Chicago, a mask mandate goes into effect tomorrow for bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and other indoor spaces.

Some businesses have set up clear plastic barriers in the hopes of limiting infections, but research suggests those barriers probably don’t help. [New York Times]

The return of the mask mandate comes as city officials report a seven-day average of 456 cases a day as of Aug. 14. That’s up 25% from the previous week. The city’s positivity rate is 4.6%. [COVID Dashboard]

3. Unvaccinated Chicago alderman says he identifies as “a vaccinated person”

Ald. Nick Sposato of the 38th Ward is the only member of the City Council who says he’s unvaccinated, reports WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel.

Woelfel conducted a survey and found that 86% of council members say they are fully vaccinated. Three members refused to answer questions, and four others did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

But Sposato, a former firefighter known to be more conservative than his colleagues, said he is not vaccinated. The alderman has multiple sclerosis, and he said his doctor told him not to get a shot right now.

When contacted by WBEZ, Sposato started the conversation by saying he identifies as “a vaccinated person.”

“You can identify as whatever you want these days, can’t you? I identify as a vaccinated person,” the alderman said, appearing to mock those who identify with pronouns different from their biological sex. [WBEZ]

4. Taliban faces resistance as Afghans take to the streets in protest

Demonstrations are spreading in Afghanistation, where people are rallying in the streets for a second day in opposition to the Taliban. As The Associated Press reports, protests have erupted from the capital of Kabul to the southeastern city of Khost, where the Taliban imposed a curfew.

The Taliban has promised to be more modern since it last ruled over the country with draconian laws. But the militant group’s move to suppress dissent with violence further raises doubts. [AP]

Meanwhile, two-thirds of Americans say they do not think the war in Afghanistan was worth fighting, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. [AP]

5. What we know about the bomb threat near the U.S. Capitol

A man today drove a black pickup truck onto the sidewalk near the Library of Congress this morning and claimed to have a bomb, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

An officer responding to calls about the truck said he saw what looked like a detonator in the man’s hand, though no explosives have been found at this point. Authorities negotiated with the man, who surrendered after an hourslong standoff.

His motives were not immediately known.

Congress is not in session this week. But several office buildings have been evacuated. [NPR]

Here’s what else is happening

• A key accuser in R. Kelly’s trial returned to the witness stand today, telling jurors the R&B singer demanded she dress like a Girl Scout when she was a minor. [AP]
• Mourners gathered today for the funeral of Chicago Police Officer Ella French. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• A nonprofit group trying to stop the construction of the Obama Presidential Center has turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. [Block Club Chicago]
• Here’s a look at the mythology behind the MCU’s Eternals. [Hollywood Reporter]

Oh, and one more thing …

Did you catch Shadow and Bone, a best-selling fantasy book series that was adapted into a Netflix hit? It’s about a war-torn world that has a giant wall of darkness called the Shadow Fold that separates two countries. And an orphan named Alina may be the key to fixing everything up.

Author Leigh Bardugo will be on this week’s episode of the Art of Power podcast, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask her questions about anything. Who is Alina based off of? Where did the idea of the Shadow Fold come from? If I dress like a goth, will the monsters inside the fold spare me?

Send us a question at artofpower@wbez.org, and we’ll choose some of the submissions to ask her directly.

Tell me something good …

I’ve been blowing through a lot of books lately and need some recommendations. What did you read this summer that you really enjoyed?

Chris writes:

“My favorite read so far this year is Call Me Z by Chicagoan Paul Teodo. It’s an atmospheric whodunit set in our very own city of Chicago. It’s a book I wished didn’t end — I was really enjoying it!

“A surly anti-hero with a heart of gold comes to the rescue of a struggling hospital. The characters are colorful and distinctive and portray the many textures of Chicago. At times it’s gritty yet balanced with dialog that is funny and lively — never a dull moment! Teodo worked many years as a hospital administrator, and he captures the essence of a small, struggling Chicago hospital superbly. Enjoy!”

And Joyce writes:

“My recommendation: Midnight in Chernobyl. Not a happy tale, but a warning of what can happen when science and good practices are ignored and politics reign.”

Feel free to email me at therundown@wbez.org or tweet me at @whuntah.

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