David Schaper

Goat's Head Sent To Cubs Owner Not From The 'Rahm-Father'

David Schaper — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:34:00 +0000

While many in Chicago immediately thought of the famous "Billy Goat curse," when a severed goat's head was delivered to Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts at Wrigley Field this week, I immediately wondered if it was a message from the "Rahm-father," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

After all, Ricketts is in the midst of intense negotiations with Emanuel's administration over renovating the iconic 99-year old ballpark, as I reported last week.

The famously short-tempered Emanuel may be gr

Chicago Commuters Brace For Delays During Bridge Repair

David Schaper — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:45:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHBK-v4LSco

Checking In On Chicago Schools' 'Safe Passage' Program

David Schaper — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:18:00 +0000

In Chicago on Friday, President Obama explored his home city's gun violence problem at an appearance at a South Side high school — the same school NPR's David Schaper visited two years ago to report on its "safe passage" program to help students get to and from school safely. Schaper returns to see how the program and other anti-violence initiatives are working.

Illinois Claws At Mountain Of Unfunded Pension Liability

David Schaper — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:26:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H62W9iLfKv4

Near-Replica Of Sandy Hook Made Nearby For Students

David Schaper — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:13:00 +0000

The surviving students of Sandy Hook Elementary will not be returning to their school in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six educators were shot to death on Dec. 14.

Instead, when classes resume after the holidays, they'll attend a school in the neighboring town of Monroe. Parents, teachers and administrators in both towns are working to make the new school as similar as possible to the one Sandy Hook students left behind.

The Monroe Congregational Church is helping prepare for the transition.

N.J. Spars Over Free Beach Access Post-Sandy

David Schaper — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:33:00 +0000

At an oceanfront park in Long Branch, N.J., Tim Dillingham looks out over the beach in awe of how much the pounding waves and high waters of Hurricane Sandy have changed the Jersey shore.

Dillingham is the executive director of the American Littoral Society, a coastal conservation group. Before the storm, he says, the U.S.

Post Sandy: Atlantic City Wants Its Tourists Back

David Schaper — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:12:00 +0000

A month after Hurricane Sandy pounded the New Jersey Shore, Atlantic City is back in business. Even though most of the casinos and restaurants sustained very little damage in the storm, they're now suffering from a lack of visitors.

In Chicago, Violence Soars And Witnesses Go Silent

David Schaper — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:32:00 +0000

It's an old problem and an old code — "don't snitch." And it exists everywhere.

But in Chicago, where homicides and shootings are up significantly this year, that old code is leaving a rising number of violent crimes unsolved.

Senate Win In Wis. A 'Turning Point' For Gay Rights

David Schaper — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 10:43:00 +0000

Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's sexual orientation was never really a factor in her victorious campaign against Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson. Advocates for gay rights see that as a watershed moment for the movement.

Baldwin won a seat many thought she couldn't, defeating one of the state's most successful politicians in the process. The celebration Tuesday night in Madison was euphoric.

The enthusiastic crowd was never louder than when Baldwin acknowledged making history.

"I am well aware that I will be the first openly gay member of the U.S.

Democrats See Opportunity In Fiery Illinois House Race

David Schaper — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:43:00 +0000

One of the most bitter congressional races is in the suburbs of Chicago, where controversial freshman Republican Joe Walsh is fighting to keep a seat he was actually drawn out of.

The Tea Party favorite's bombastic rants frequently get him into trouble, even with members of his own party, and Walsh is facing a tough Democratic opponent in Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, who lost both of her legs in combat.

When the two political opponents get together, it doesn't take long for the fireworks to begin.

Baseball Autographs Get A Digital Upgrade

David Schaper — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 23:15:00 +0000

On her 22nd birthday this summer, Sarah Wagner of suburban Wheaton, Ill., who describes herself as a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, opened an email to find an incredible surprise — a recorded message from her favorite Cubs player:

"Hey, Sarah! Kerry Wood here! Thanks for your message and I hope you're having a great summer!"

"When I heard for the first time, I instantly smiled," says Wagner.

Senate Seat Up For Grabs In Wisconsin

David Schaper — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:49:00 +0000

One of the most important seats in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate is in Wisconsin, where Democrat Herb Kohl is retiring. Early polls showed popular former Gov. Tommy Thompson might easily flip the seat to the GOP, but he's now trailing Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin. It's a race that's going down to the wire in this almost evenly divided state.

The liberal congresswoman from Madison was considered the underdog after Republicans nominated the four-term ex-governor in August.

Drought's Effects Keep Expanding

David Schaper — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:52:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This summer's drought is not helping the wildfire situation, and the drought is also deeply harming the nation's agricultural economy.

Soaked In Drought: Lessons From The Dust Bowl

David Schaper — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:51:00 +0000

This summer's drought continues to wilt and bake crops from Ohio to the Great Plains and beyond. Under a baking, late-afternoon sun just outside of the tiny east-central Illinois town of Thawville, John Hildenbrand walks down his dusty, gravel driveway toward one of his corn fields.

"You can see on the outer edge, these are a lot better-looking ears on the outside rows. Of course, it's not near as hot as it is inside the field," he says.

Walking deeper into the 7-foot-high corn stalks, the temperature — already in the 90s — becomes stifling. Here, the ears are smaller.

As Strikes Wane, Caterpillar Workers Hold the Line

David Schaper — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:33:00 +0000

Whenever a car or truck turns off busy Channahon Road onto the long drive to the Caterpillar plant in Joliet, Ill., a handful of union workers on a picket line scream, "Scab!

Conservative Confab Rallies Behind Wisconsin Victory

David Schaper — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 11:46:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. It seems that every week, there's a new study out on political polarization in America. More and more, we talk to, vote with, and get our news from only those who think the way that we do. So, this week we sent reporters on a couple of polar expeditions to political gatherings on the left and the right. And in a moment, we'll hear from NPR's Scott Horsley at Netroots Nation in Rhode Island.

Walker Moves Forward As The Right's Newest 'Hero'

David Schaper — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:45:00 +0000

Republican Gov. Scott Walker triumphantly returned to the Wisconsin Capitol Wednesday, fresh off of his decisive victory in Tuesday's bitter recall election.

The governor appears to be emerging from the tough recall fight stronger, and with his national profile rising.

Earlier Wednesday, Walker thanked voters at a factory outside Milwaukee.

Recall Election Polarizes Wisconsin Voters

David Schaper — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:29:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's been more than a year since Wisconsin Democrats began talking about recalling the state's governor, Scott Walker. Next week they'll get their chance to do it. Last night, Walker and his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, traded barbs in their final debate before Tuesday's vote. Turnout is expected to be very high, as the recall is sharply dividing voters in Wisconsin, so much so, some have just stopped talking to each other.

Chicago Outsider Busted Crime With Apolitical Flare

David Schaper — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:16:00 +0000

Patrick Fitzgerald, the federal prosecutor who went after the Gambino crime family, al-Qaida and even the White House in court — not to mention several Illinois politicians — is leaving his job as U.S. attorney in Chicago.

The career prosecutor, known as "Eliot Ness with a Harvard degree," will leave a legacy as a tenacious corruption buster, though some criticize his style as overzealous.

Even though they are presidential appointees, U.S. attorneys are supposed to be as apolitical as possible. Some say Fitzgerald took the political independence of the U.S.

Lack Of Support Puts The Brakes On High-Speed Rail

David Schaper — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Three years ago, President Obama was rolling out an ambitious vision for high-speed rail in America. "Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 mph," the president said at the time.

Today, there are a few Amtrak trains going that fast, but for the most part, the president's plans for high-speed trains have slowed considerably.

On Amtrak's Wolverine service, which goes from Chicago to Ann Arbor, Mich., and then to Detroit and Pontiac, Mich., the train reaches speeds of up to 110 mph. It's the fastest of any U.S. train outside the Northeast Corridor.