Good morning, Chicago.
It is a long way from Lake Forest to the moon — 240,000 miles, give or take — and Jim Lovell made that trip twice, never setting foot on the moon but seeing things that few people have ever seen and living a life of estimable grace.
Lovell, who was 97 years old, died Thursday in that leafy northern suburb where he had lived for decades. It was where, for a time, he operated with his son Jay a terrific restaurant named Lovells and filled it with some of the memorabilia he had accumulated during his long, high-flying and honor-filled career.
Most obituaries contained the many facts of his long life: childhood dreams of being a rocket scientist; losing his father at 5 and growing up in poverty in a one-room Milwaukee apartment with his mom; college at the University of Wisconsin and the U.S. Naval Academy; marrying his high school sweetheart, Marilyn, the day he graduated in 1952, and remaining together for 71 years, until her death in 2023; four children, many grandchildren; picked for the astronaut program and joining two Gemini missions; two Apollo missions that made him one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the moon; ticker tape parades, the cover of Time magazine, becoming president of the National Eagle Scout Association, success in business…
The word “hero” justifiably peppered the stories and television segments over the weekend. But this was a man who wore that tag lightly.
Read the full column from the Tribune’s Rick Kogan.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including what Gov. JB Pritzker said of President Donald Trump’s threat to bring the National Guard to Chicago, a look back at what led Sue to the Field Museum 35 years ago today and a rundown from Bears training camp.
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US and China extend trade truce another 90 days, easing tension between world’s largest economies
President Donald Trump extended a trade truce with China for another 90 days yesterday, at least delaying once again a dangerous showdown between the world’s two biggest economies.
Gov. JB Pritzker again makes Nazi comparisons after President Trump threatens DC-like takeover in Chicago
Gov. JB Pritzker yesterday likened President Donald Trump’s call for possible National Guard troops occupying Chicago to when the Nazi Party in Germany “tore down a constitutional republic” in the 1930s.
One day after after Pritzker said he wouldn’t rule out a presidential run in 2028, his remarks at a north suburban school district continued his war of words with Trump, who earlier in the day actually elevated Pritzker’s presidential aspirations by saying of Pritzker “maybe he has a chance” even as he insulted the Democratic governor.
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit joins growing Democratic field running for Illinois comptroller
Stephanie Kifowit, a 12-year state lawmaker from Oswego, entered the still-growing race to become the Democratic nominee for state comptroller, a post incumbent Susana Mendoza is retiring from for a potential bid for Chicago mayor.
5 injured in Bronzeville shooting, police say
Charles Nelson had just gotten out the door on his way to a concert in Millennium Park yesterday afternoon when gunfire exploded up his South Side block. The 71-year-old got down to the ground and waited through what he estimated was a full minute of shooting.
“Please call 911,” he texted his neighbors. “Over 30 gunshots.”
When Nelson got up again, almost 40 shell casings lay in the street. Five people were injured, one seriously, in the Bronzeville neighborhood in the yesterday afternoon shooting, authorities said.
From gray to green: Across Chicago, dozens of concrete schoolyards transformed into community hubs and flooding solutions
In 2014, Chicago-based Healthy Schools Campaign, a national nonprofit that works to ensure schools can provide students with healthy environments, nutritious food, health services and opportunities for physical activity — transformed playgrounds at Grissom and three other schools. Since then, the Space to Grow program has turned 36 barren yards at public schools across Chicago into green community hubs; five more redesign projects are breaking ground this summer.
Today in History: Sue, one of the largest and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons, found
On this day in 1990, fossil collector Sue Hendrickson found one of the largest and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons ever discovered; nicknamed “Sue” after Hendrickson, the skeleton is now on display at Chicago’s Field Museum.
Chicago Bears training camp rundown: Starters get work after sitting out the preseason opener
It was a quick turnaround for the Chicago Bears. One day after opening the preseason with a 24-24 tie against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, the Bears were back on the practice field yesterday at Halas Hall.
Most of the starters didn’t play Sunday, so yesterday’s practice was designed specifically for them to see action. Thirty-four players participated in practice, including starting quarterback Caleb Williams.
What Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable is focusing on during the final 2 months of the season
Manager Will Venable discussed what has stood out to him since the All-Star break, and what he’s keeping an eye on in the final 40-plus games, with the Tribune ahead of last week’s series finale in Seattle.
A place to listen: Chicago listening bars offer audio enthusiasts a different way to enjoy music
For those looking to sit and really listen to an obscure single or underappreciated album — communally, maybe discuss it in real time — there’s been a gap. Historically a tradition of record store culture, hosting a dedicated time and place for just celebrating quality audio, or “listening party” sans live performance is pretty hard to come by these days.
Now, audiophilic purists and the avidly curious alike can sit and soak in the sounds at a number of bars built for listening, including the new Charis Listening Bar in Bridgeport, A Listening Space in Washington Park, and CHIRP Radio and Audiotree’s co-presented Both Sides Now monthly listening bar activation at Schubas Tavern in Lakeview.
Taylor Swift announces 12th studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
Look what you made her do — Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
Swift announced the album on her website shortly after a countdown timer expired at 12:12 a.m. today. No release date was announced, but her site said vinyl editions of the album would ship before Oct. 13.
