Good morning, Chicago.
Tim Walz and JD Vance went after each other’s running mates in last night’s vice presidential debate that opened with a discussion of burgeoning domestic and international troubles — a hurricane that ravaged much of the southeast U.S. and growing fears of a regional Middle East war.
Both Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, and Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, focused many of their largely cordial attack lines on the top of the ticket, as is traditional for VP debates. They each pointed to the crises of the day as reasons for voters to choose Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump.
The debate unfolded in the final weeks of a campaign that has been defined by harsh, personal attacks and historic convulsions, including a candidate dropping out and two attempted assassinations. Polls have shown Harris and Trump locked in a close contest as early voting begins across the country, giving added weight to anything that can sway voters on the margins, including the impression left by the vice presidential candidates.
The heated tone of the campaign was mostly replaced by deep policy discussions, with the candidates sometimes saying they agreed with each other — even as they outlined vastly different visions about the future of the country.
Here are some takeaways from Tuesday’s debate and a look at false and misleading claims made.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as 1st female president of Mexico
Sheinbaum was sworn in yesterday as Mexico’s first female president, riding the enthusiasm over her predecessor’s social programs but also facing challenges that include stubbornly high levels of violence.
After a smiling Sheinbaum took the oath of office on the floor of Congress, legislators shouted “Presidenta! Presidenta!” using the feminine form of president in Spanish for the first time in over 200 years of Mexico’s history as an independent country.
Chicago-area universities impose more restrictive protest guidelines; advocates and students push back
When Chicago-area college students returned to campus this fall, they were greeted with more than just new lectures, readings and tests. Many local universities welcomed students back with drastically revised guidelines around protest and political speech.
Appeals court hears potential wrongful conviction case following special prosecutors’ report
A panel of Illinois Appellate Court judges on Tuesday heard oral arguments in the case of Kevin Jackson, a man seeking his release from prison more than two decades after he was found guilty in a fatal South Side shooting.
Chicago’s largest charter school network Noble Schools announces Brenda Cora as new CEO
Noble Schools, Chicago’s largest public charter school network, announced that current Chief Schools Officer Brenda Cora will be promoted to lead the organization after the departure of its chief executive of six years.
DuPage County sees record-breaking turnout over first days of early voting
Turnout on day one of early voting in DuPage County smashed records set four years ago, according to the DuPage County Clerk’s Office.
Chicago Sports Network launches with new over-the-air TV affiliates in South Bend and Rockford, adds Astound, but still no Comcast
The Chicago Sports Network, which launched yesterday as the new TV home of the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks, has signed up two more over-the-air stations and a new pay-TV partner to broadcast its 24/7 programming.
Gray Media television stations in Rockford and South Bend both flipped the switch to join the fledgling regional sports network ahead of its two-hour premiere show at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Astound confirmed Tuesday afternoon it has also reached an agreement to carry the Chicago Sports Network.
Column: Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer under pressure as he heads into his fifth season without a playoff appearance
It’s Cubs president Jed Hoyer’s turn to take the heat, entering his fifth season since replacing Theo Epstein, writes Paul Sullivan.
Homewood woman celebrates turning 110 with lots of friends, plate of ribs
On Monday at her Homewood home, Mary Cantway celebrated her 110th birthday with a small party with family, friends and neighbors two days after having a larger party with roughly 100 people.
So, are we thinking 120?
“Oh, gosh, no,” she said. “I don’t expect to be around that long. I think 110 is pretty good.”
‘Nobody Wants This’ review: When menschy met blabby
“Say something rabbinical,” a woman says playfully to the cute rabbi she’s just spent the evening flirting with. It’s been too long since the pleasures of banter fueled a romantic comedy with the enthusiasm of something like “When Harry Met Sally.” But it’s all over the place in “Nobody Wants This,” one of the best shows on Netflix in recent memory, writes TV and film critic Nina Metz.
‘The Outrun’ review: A moving tale of addiction, recovery and Saoirse Ronan’s exceptional skill
Blind drunk at closing time, Rona — a bright, late-20s graduate student majoring in biology — has again pushed her luck and, literally kicking and screaming, provoked the bartender into tossing her out of a London pub onto the sidewalk. Her purse’s contents scatter and roll. She has been here before, or thereabouts.
“The Outrun” tells her addiction and recovery story with clear-eyed and nicely unpredictable swerves. Saoirse Ronan does subtly spectacular work in every phase of this character’s odyssey, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.
Ready, set, bake! It’s time to enter the Tribune’s 2024 Holiday Cookie Contest
Pumpkin spice is popping up on menus across the city, the leaves are on the cusp of turning colors and the weather is (mercifully) cooling down, so that can only mean one thing — we’re launching the Tribune’s 38th annual Holiday Cookie Contest and are now accepting submissions of your delicious and creative cookie recipes.
Recipe submissions close Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. Voting will start Oct. 14, and readers will be able to vote daily for the recipes they want to see make it to our taste-testing round. After voting ends, the 12 recipes with the most votes (with an option to turn it into a baker’s dozen of finalists, if our team finds that one recipe should be included as our “Joe Gray Save,” named after a former dining editor) will be baked by Tribune staffers and judged.
