Rachael Purl
WGN TV News
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Past articles by Rachael:
CityKey card offers Chicago discounts, Ventra access, library books
CHICAGO — Chicago’s CityKey program launched Thursday. It's a three-in-one card that serves as a government ID, Ventra card and library card. It also offers discounts all over the city for more than 30 businesses, cultural institutions and sports teams. → Read More
Anonymous $14M donation to help homeless women in Chicago
CHICAGO — Sarah's Circle, an Uptown nonprofit that helps homeless women, received an anonymous $14 million donation. The money will help speed up construction of a new facility at Leland Avenue and Sheridan Road that will include 38 apartments for formerly homeless women. → Read More
U.S. Attorney in Chicago appointed to oversee production of documents to Congress
CHICAGO -- The U.S. Justice Department is turning to Chicago's top federal prosecutor to speed up the handing over of documents in some high-profile investigations. U.S. Attorney John Lausch will now oversee production and redactions on documents requested by the House Judiciary Committee. → Read More
2 guys from Chicago miss flights, spend day protesting Houston ‘Bean’
HOUSTON, Texas -- Two friends from Chicago aren't happy about Houston's new stainless steel sculpture that looks an awful lot like "Cloud Gate" -- and they're not afraid to let everyone know it. → Read More
MLK honored at West Side wreath laying
CHICAGO — A wreath laying ceremony was held on the West Side on Wednesday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the 50th anniversary of his assassination. A wave of civil turbulence swept the country following King's assassination in 1968. → Read More
Chicago summer jobs program accepting applications
CHICAGO -- Applications are now available for Chicago's summer jobs program. There are more than 30,000 jobs and internships available through the One Summer Chicago initiative. The program helps young people ages 14 to 24 gain valuable work experience. → Read More
Body cam video shows man attempting to bite police K-9 involved in his arrest
DOVER, WI -- A man is charged with resisting arrest and trying to bite a deputy's K-9. The sheriff's office in Racine County, Wisconsin released bodycam video of the incident. Police say the suspect, Leland O'Malley, appeared to be drunk and trying to get into a home where he did not live. → Read More
Chicago named top city for business — again
CHICAGO -- Chicago has been named the top metro area in the nation for corporate relocation and investment for a fifth consecutive year. The plan to expand O'Hare Airport, skilled labor, a central location and accessible housing make Chicago very welcoming to new businesses, according to Site Magazine. → Read More
California sees spike in children accidentally eating marijuana
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Doctors in California are seeing an increase in children rushed to the emergency room for accidentally eating marijuana. They're warning parents to take extra precautions since recreational pot use became legal in that state in January. → Read More
Indiana trooper, good Samaritans save kayaker swept into a culvert
SPENCER COUNTY, Ind. -- A state trooper acted quickly to save a kayaker who was trapped by fast moving flood waters. Trooper Kaitlyn Greene was flagged down by the man's wife on Tuesday near Orchard Road and County Road 400N in Spencer County. → Read More
Man could be deported after calling 911 for help
TUKWILA, Wash. -- A man who called 911 for help could now be deported. Wilson Rodriguez Macarreno called police last week when he thought someone was breaking into his home in Tukwila, Washington. → Read More
Today marks 50th anniversary of deadly Mickelberry plant fire
CHICAGO -- 50-years ago today the Mickelberry Foods Factory explosion killed nine people including four firefighters. A memorial service in the Back of the Yards neighborhood today remembered those Chicago heroes. → Read More
‘El Chapo’ jury will be anonymous
NEW YORK, NY -- The federal jury in the trial of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman will be anonymous and partially sequestered. The federal judge presiding over the notorious drug lord's case granted the government's motion Monday. → Read More
Sample of Michigan meteorite now at Field Museum
CHICAGO -- Scientists in Chicago are getting a close up look at a meteorite seen shooting through the sky earlier this month. It landed in Michigan and a sample is now at the Field Museum. It's the first scientific institution with access to a sample of the space rock. → Read More
Reporter Jamie Kalven won’t have to testify in Jason Van Dyke trial
CHICAGO -- A Cook County judge rules today that an independent journalist will not have to testify in the murder trial of Jason Van Dyke. Jamie Kalven was the first reporter to detail the Laquan McDonald shooting and the discrepancies between the Chicago Police account and witness accounts of his death. → Read More
Chance the Rapper surprises Chicago students, announces $1M donation from Jewel
CHICAGO -- Chicago's very own Chance the Rapper surprised students today at a high school in the South Austin neighborhood. He hosted an assembly at Michele Clark High School. → Read More
FBI tapes link former Chicago Cop to deadly fire, report says
CHICAGO -- A former Chicago police officer turned mob associate may be responsible for the death of a suburban restaurant owner five years ago. The body of Giacomo Ruggirello was found in his burned out home in Highland Park in 2012. → Read More
New video shows kidnapped mother Sherri Papini moments before she was found
WOODLAND, Calif. -- Police have released surveillance video of the mysterious return of a kidnapped mother in California. Police say the faint image shows Sherri Papini running near a church parking lot moments after she was set free on Thanksgiving day 2016. → Read More
Mother warns other parents after finding toddler tangled in window blinds
NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA -- A mother is warning other parents after finding her son tangled in cords from their window blinds. 27-year old parent blogger, Stevie Niki, first untangled her 18-month old son, Tayne. → Read More
Casey Anthony’s parents threaten lawsuit to stop her from doing reality TV show
Casey Anthony's parents say they will take legal action to stop their daughter from selling her story. Anthony was acquitted of killing her daughter Caylee in 2011. Recent media reports claim Anthony may film a reality TV show with O.J. Simpson. → Read More