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Less than three weeks after informing parents that general education students would not receive busing for the remainder of the academic year, Chicago Public Schools announced it would buy and operate up to 50 electric school buses over the next three years through a $20 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmentalists and school and city officials praised the EPA funding as a step in the right direction toward a greener school district, improved city air quality and a reduced carbon footprint.

But the news of clean energy buses comes in the middle of a tough school year for many parents who are exasperated by daily hourslong commutes to school because of a bus driver shortage that has kept their children without the free or easy district transportation they received in previous years.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/breaking and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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Daniel O'Conor, the Great Lake Jumper, performs a backward flip into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Jan. 16, 2024.
Daniel O’Conor, the Great Lake Jumper, performs a backward flip into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Jan. 16, 2024.

As wind chills plunge to dangerous lows of minus 27 degrees in Chicago, 2 men take their own plunge in Lake Michigan

Tuesday’s forecast is mostly sunny with a high near 4 degrees in Chicago, according to the National Weather Service. Two men didn’t let it stop them from taking an early-morning dip in Lake Michigan. Read more here.

More top news stories:

Evanston determines order for next round of reparation disbursements

Wheeling man killed in Round Lake, 3-vehicle crash

One of Warmies best-selling stuffed animals is their labradoodle, according to Scott Wehrs, who heads the East Dundee company.
One of Warmies best-selling stuffed animals is their labradoodle, according to Scott Wehrs, who heads the East Dundee company.

East Dundee’s Warmies — twice on Oprah’s favorites list — makes name for itself with microwavable toys, products

Warmies, a company with a best-selling line of microwavable toys, slippers and wellness products — twice named as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things — is based in East Dundee. Read more here.

More top business stories:

Retired Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife list Winnetka mansion for $8.5M

The Baltimore Sun purchased by Sinclair’s David D. Smith

Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh (9) during an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match, March 20, 2022, in Houston.
Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh (9) during an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match, March 20, 2022, in Houston.

Mallory Swanson signs record contract to stay with Chicago Red Stars and become the NWSL’s highest-paid player

Mallory Swanson re-signed with the Chicago Red Stars on Tuesday to a record-length five-year deal that makes her the highest-paid player in the National Women’s Soccer League. Read more here.

More top sports stories:

Jason Dickinson and Chicago Blackhawks agree to a 2-year, $8.5 million deal amid the forward’s career season

Chicago Cubs are trying to build off Marquee Sports’ direct-to-consumer option — and sportsbook is still waiting for license approval

Sociologist LaShawnDa Pittman, a Northwestern University alumnus.
Sociologist LaShawnDa Pittman, a Northwestern University alumnus.

‘Grandmothering While Black’ takes a deep dive into how parents’ parents are coping with raising the next generation

Sociologist LaShawnDa Pittman’s book explores the complex lives of Black grandmothers raising kids in skipped generation households. Read more here.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

National Museum of Mexican Art announces new president

‘Pymaglion’ brings a fair lady to Theatre of Western Springs

In this courtroom sketch, prospective jurors file into the courtroom as Donald Trump, third left, stands surrounded by his defense team. Alina Habba, fourth left, Trump's lead defense attorney, stands beside him. E. Jean Carroll, background second from right, stands with her attorney Roberta Kaplan, Jan. 16, 2024, in New York.
In this courtroom sketch, prospective jurors file into the courtroom as Donald Trump, third left, stands surrounded by his defense team. Alina Habba, fourth left, Trump’s lead defense attorney, stands beside him. E. Jean Carroll, background second from right, stands with her attorney Roberta Kaplan, Jan. 16, 2024, in New York.

Donald Trump scowls as jury is picked to decide how much he owes for denying sex assault

Trump shook his head in disgust as the judge in his New York defamation trial told prospective jurors that another jury had already decided the former president sexually abused columnist E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

US military seizes Iranian missile parts bound for Houthi rebels in raid where 2 SEALs went missing

‘Succession’ dominates drama Emmys, ‘The Bear’ claims comedy and Quinta Brunson makes history