Growing up HIV-positive, a reality more kids face each year

by Christopher B Sweeney

HIV cases spiked 30 percent in Illinois among teens, according to the most recent statistics. Health officials attribute the increase to lowered funding for effective prevention programs.


Recession, new services draw patrons to libraries

by Erin Halasz

Chicagoans borrowed 34 percent more books, CDs and DVDs in April of this year than in the same month last year. Some library patrons said they have started using the library more because of economic concerns, and others cited the new online reservation system as a reason for increased visits.


BAGS

Small grocers say new plastic bag law could help Earth but hurt business

by Kevin Janowiak

A new city ordinance forces grocery and drug stores to recycle plastic bags, but owners of small grocery stores say it will cost them money but have a flimsy impact on pollution.

 


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Bernanke critiques financial firms, calls for them to raise capital

by Patrick Temple-West

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke in Chicago today about the causes of the credit crisis and steps the central bank is taking to try to prevent such a crisis in the future. Bernanke spoke at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Annual Conference on Bank Structure and Competition.


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A simple injection cools the hot flashes, study shows

by Nafis Ahmed

A five-minute procedure could dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, a new study suggests. This novel treatment could bring long term relief to millions of women suffering from hot flashes and change the face of breast cancer treatment.



Some states are better than others in sex offender notification

by Elizabeth Riley

How states let residents know when a sex offender moves into the neighborhood varies widely. Some, such as Texas, send postcards; others send nothing. Every state is required by federal law to notify people about registered sex offenders in their state. Click on each state to find out how the state handles notification and rates the risk of the offender to the community.


The Wrigley experience: All that is missing is the hot dog

by Brian McCabe

The experience of going to a game at Wrigley Field is brought to life through an audio slideshow highlighting the multiple events at a Cubs' game.


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Lincoln Park Pharmacy beats odds while holding onto its past

by Haley Westbrook

Independent pharmacies are vanishing, but one Lincoln Park pharmacy has managed to beat the odds while holding onto its past. One reason:  Braun pharmacy compounds for more than 200 veterinary clinics nationwide. Although it's near a big-box pharmacy, the little store is now expanding.


BUSBUY

School bus deal could mean $1.2 billion for Navistar affiliate

by Jason M. Breslow

IC Bus, a wholly owned Navistar International Corp. subsidiary in Warrenville, has reached an agreement worth as much as $1.2 billion to manufacture school buses for Cincinnati-based First Student Inc.


UFOFILE_archives

British release UFO reports; what about ours?

by Town Travis

Wednesday the British National Archives released UFO reports, listing sightings in the late 1970s and early 1980s. According to the National UFO Reporting Center's database here in the United States, 1,605 UFO sightings have been reported in Illinois since 1980, many in and around Chicago.


Quinn tries to get city interested in plan for laptops for CPS students

by Ryan Mark

Chicago Public Schools could be flooded in laptops with Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn’s unconventional plunge into City Hall. Quinn said he will meet with Mayor Daley’s chief of staff, Lori Healey, on Friday to discuss Quinn's proposed Children’s Low-Cost Laptop Ordinance. He submitted the ordinance to the City Council earlier this week.