1. Heat Wave: An Oral History
20 years ago, a heat wave killed 739 people in Chicago. Here's how it unfolded. Chicago tells the story through the words of those who lived it.
2. Little League, Big Trouble
Chris Janes blew the whistle on Jackie Robinson West and brought himself a lot of trouble. SBNation gets his side of the story.
3. Board Member Who Voted to Parole Cop Killer: 'It's the Right Thing to Do'
He's a retired cop—and an unlikely member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to free Joseph Bigsby. The Tribune profiles Donald Shelton.
4. A Chicago High School's Turnaround
Arts and an all-inclusive International Baccalaureate program improved graduation rates, test scores, and the school's ranking. The Education Writers Association explains.
5. Richard Thaler and the Human Side of Economics
The University of Chicago econ prof talks about his new book on behavioral economics. Bloomberg View hosts a Q&A.
6. Rock Critic Jessica Hopper is Kool-Aid Man
The author of the new collection The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic tells how she got her job. Nerdette sits down with the local writer.
7. 40 Years Later, the Cast of 'Cooley High' Looks Back
The movie, set around Cabrini-Green, paved the way for the works of John Singleton and Spike Lee. NPR's Code Switch goes back to school.
8. Was CPD 'Hunting Photo' Victim Targeted for Family Ties?
Michael Spann was born in prison and later killed in a drive-by—and his older brother is a notorious gang leader. The Sun-Times keeps following the story of the infamous photo.
9. Marva Collins, Educator Who Aimed High for Poor, Black Students, Dies at 78
The former substitute teacher gained reknown for the South Side prep school she founded, turning down offers to run the Chicago and Los Angeles school districts, seeing her life become a TV movie, and appearing in a Prince video. The New York Times remembers her.
10. Diversity in Children's Books Is Hard to Find—But Important
Decades after pioneering librarians began the push for more characters of color, white protagonists still dominate children's lit. Chicago looks at the numbers.