By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
After the death and disaster visited by Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, I have a modest proposal. Let's all agree to take a serious, science-based look at what's going on with our weather.
"It's global warming, stupid," proclaimed the cover of the latest issue of Bloomberg Business Week. Others prefer the term "climate change." But after this possibly $50 billion catastrophe -- coming on the heels of the multi-billion dollar drought losses we suffered in this part of the country this summer and of last winter's positively bizarre stretch of week after week of nearly 90-degree temperatures -- isn't it worth asking just what is going on? Many scientists say ocean levels are rising, perhaps linked to the melting of polar icecaps; one factor in the flooding that wreaked so much havoc out East last week.
After all that, we probably won't see Mitt Romney treat climate change as a laugh line in a joke, the way he did at the Republican National Convention.
Look, I'm glad that Romney and others -- Republicans and Democrats -- are skeptical that human beings can do much to reverse climate change. Certainly, some of the steps that some environmentalists have proposed are enormously expensive and would put many coal miners and other workers on the unemployment line. But let's stop treating the issue as a fantasy invented by Al Gore. Climate change is real. And it's claiming more lives and treasure much sooner than many of us feared.
Tanya Triche with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says passing the bill to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour would hurt our already fragile economy.
Tanya Triche with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says passing the bill to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour would hurt our already fragile economy.
Mike Flannery, along with a handful of other Chicago TV journalists, will be inducted Friday into the prestigious "Silver Circle" of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Mike Flannery, along with a handful of other Chicago TV journalists, will be inducted Friday into the prestigious "Silver Circle" of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Chicago Chapter.
Friday, May 10 2013 5:37 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:37:26 GMT
It is Mother's Day and sadly while many people are making plans like dinner and brunch reservations with their children and loved ones, too many mothers have lost a child to gun violence.
It is Mother's Day and sadly while many people are making plans like dinner and brunch reservations with their children and loved ones, here in Chicago, too many mothers have lost a child to gun violence.
Friday, May 10 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:30:05 GMT
There's plenty of reason to believe Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Governor Quinn in next spring's Democratic primary.
There's plenty of reason to believe Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Governor Quinn in next spring's Democratic primary.
Some Chicago-area men were arrested in an undercover sting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office this week. Robin Robinson takes an in-depth look at the business of sex trafficking.
Some Chicago-area men were arrested in an undercover sting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office this week. Robin Robinson takes an in-depth look at the business of sex trafficking.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:52:16 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:42:24 GMT
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:09 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:09:33 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
