Brandis Friedman

Insight into President Trump's Chicago crackdown and how the city, state are responding YouTube video by Jaden Jefferson Reports

Watch ▶️ @brandisfriedman.bsky.social anchors 'Chicago Tonight' on @wttw.bsky.social. She joined me to discuss a judge's order that — for now — blocks President Trump from sending the National Guard to Chicago, ICE's increased footprint, and more.↴ youtu.be/R4tScwK8EXE?...

"I met someone recently ... this man has a wife — his wife is undocumented — and she's not going to church, she's not going to the grocery store, she's not leaving the house." - @brandisfriedman.bsky.social of @wttw.bsky.social on undocumented Chicagoans' fears.

Full video: youtu.be/R4tScwK8EXE?...

‘In No Way Are We Going to Accept This’: Johnson Vows to Resist Trump’s National Guard Deployment “We’re not going to be intimidated in Chicago,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “It’s my responsibility to stand up to tyranny and to make sure that we are defending the people of this city.”

Because there is SO MUCH going on right now, this one is worth your time: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson takes questions on “Chicago Tonight” (w/ @brandisfriedman.bsky.social)

Twin sisters Rachel and Nicole Henderson — aka DJ duo RaeCola — are about to have a very special homecoming.

The South Side natives may now live in Los Angeles, but on Sunday they’ll be making a return to their hometown to DJ at Lollapalooza.

to.wttw.com/3ITeDV6

The National Urban League’s new report, “The State of Black America,” was set to focus on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. But the group's CEO Marc Morial says the group had to shift priorities to declare a “state of emergency” about the impacts of federal policies. to.wttw.com/3U3B7oH

OK one more note on WTTW: you see the public faces of the station like Geoffrey Baer, @brandisfriedman.bsky.social, @heathercherone.bsky.social. But every time I do Chicago Tonight, I work with producers, sound guys, camera people, directors, etc. There's a whole army of people working there.

Glad to share @chicagohomeless.bsky.social’s position on Trump’s horrendous EO on Chicago Tonight with @brandisfriedman.bsky.social.

Johnson Blasts ‘Snap Curfew’ Proposal as ‘Lazy,’ ‘Sloppy’ Ahead of City Council Vote Mayor Brandon Johnson’s blistering condemnation of the proposal raises the likelihood that he will veto the measure if it passes or ignore it and count on Supt. Larry Snelling to never use the power t...

The @wttw.bsky.social News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social and host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on the upcoming “snap curfew” vote and more of the day’s top stories.

Departing CPS Chief Pedro Martinez Says He Has No Regrets, Decries ‘Bullying’ by Mayor and CTU Late last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board fired Martinez without cause after he refused to take out a $300 million loan to cover the cost of a new teachers’ contract — but he rem...

Fired Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez said he has no regrets as he wraps up his tumultuous four-year tenure leading his hometown school district.

Judge Rejects Michael Madigan’s Motion for Acquittal as Ex-Speaker’s Corruption Case Heads Toward Sentencing This Week U.S. District Judge John Blakey rejected Michael Madigan’s motion for acquittal or a new trial, setting the stage for Madigan’s sentencing to go ahead Friday.

The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on Michael Madigan’s upcoming sentencing hearing and more of the day’s top stories.

Need to get ready for this week? Here’s what you missed last week. (Yep, I’m late, thanks @jaredrutecki.bsky.social). 🤷🏾‍♀️

Panel Votes 10-7 to Advance CPD’s ‘Snap Curfews’ Plan to Stop Teen Gatherings A final vote by the full City Council is set for Wednesday. If the measure takes effect, it would reshape Chicago’s curfew law and could set a template for other cities struggling with public safety c...

The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on snap curfews and more of the day’s top stories. (via @wttw.bsky.social)

In my opinion, this was Mayor Johnson's best interview. @brandisfriedman.bsky.social held his feet to the fire and his replies were spot on -- thoughtful, passionate, and, perhaps most importantly, not defensive. I applaud his vision for our city. We're all better when the W and SW sides are better.

Very proud of @pjdubs.bsky.social @ncardos.bsky.social @brandisfriedman.bsky.social @wttw.bsky.social News for Lisagor Awards for Best Science/Technology Reporting & Best Reporting on Crime/Justice. And congrats to WTTW Digital, FIRSTHAND, Chicago Stories and Local Production teams for their awards!

I promise I’m working. But I need the internet to do its thing with this pic of #PrincessCharlotte & Company. #royalfamily

I have not made a decision about my plans for re-election - I will make that decision in the coming weeks and announce on May 5.

Mayor Brandon Johnson Sounds Alarm on City Budget, Decries Trump’s Threats Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday sounded the alarm about the financial crisis facing the city, warning that Chicago “will have to do more with less” as President Donald Trump threatens to upend its fin...

FULL STORY: Mayor Johnson sounded the alarm about the financial crisis facing the city, warning that Chicago “will have to do more with less” as President Trump threatens to upend its finances and officials confront the results of decades of financial mismanagement. @wttw.bsky.social

Mayor Brandon Johnson Sounds Alarm on City Budget, Decries Trump’s Threats Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday sounded the alarm about the financial crisis facing the city, warning that Chicago “will have to do more with less” as President Donald Trump threatens to upend its fin...

Mayor Brandon Johnson sounded the alarm about Monday, warning that Chicago “will have to do more with less” as President Donald Trump threatens to upend its finances & officials confront the results of decades of financial mismanagement.

to.wttw.com/3GdIVR8

Week in Review: City Council Blocks Jan. 6 Rioters From City Jobs; Police Misconduct Budget Almost Exhausted Former President Joe Biden returns to the national stage — calling out the Trump administration’s actions on Social Security. And alderpeople are blocking Jan. 6 rioters from working with the city.

Chicago Tonight | Week in Review: City Council Blocks Jan. 6 Rioters From City Jobs; Police Misconduct Budget Almost Exhausted, with @sdaniels27.bsky.social @heathercherone.bsky.social @elviamalagon.bsky.social @themelodymercado.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social

Donald Trump’s Threats to Yank Federal Funding from Chicago Amount to ‘Terrorism,’ Brandon Johnson Says Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s efforts to strip federal funding from cities like Chicago with laws on the books designed to protect undocumented immigrants amount to ...

The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s comments and more of the day’s top stories.

I’m trying a new thing. See what ya think:

Chief Judge’s Office Takes Over Electronic Monitoring in Cook County Amid Staffing Concerns The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is ending its decades-old electronic monitoring program, giving the Chief Judge’s Office sole responsibility for managing its cases.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is ending its decades-old electronic monitoring (EM) program, giving the Chief Judge’s Office sole responsibility for managing its cases. Chief Judge Tim Evans discusses what’s next w/ @brandisfriedman.bsky.social. news.wttw.com/2025/04/02/c...

Thank you @brandisfriedman.bsky.social for discussing Karen Lewis’s new memoir—I Didn’t Come Here to Lie—on Chicago Tonight Black Voices @wttw.bsky.social book excerpt included

Johnson Presses CPS Board to Make $175M Pension Payment, Reach Agreement With CTU The new 21-member, partially elected CPS board is set to vote Thursday on whether to make that pension payment and figure out how to pay for new contracts with the unions representing teachers and pri...

The @wttw.bsky.social News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social@amandakaschube.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on the $175 million pension payment and more of the day’s top stories.

Breonna Taylor’s mother remembers Tamika Palmer talks about mourning her daughter, Breonna Taylor, five years after she was killed by police.

Five years ago today.
19thnews.org/2025/03/breo...

Chicago’s Sanctuary City Protections Face Crucible Moment as Mayor Brandon Johnson Set to Testify Before Congress The scale of the challenges that confronted Mayor Brandon Johnson during his first 20 months in office is likely to be eclipsed Wednesday, when he is scheduled to testify in front of the U.S. House Ov...

The @wttw.bsky.social News Spotlight Politics team of @ndblumberg.bsky.social @heathercherone.bsky.social @amandavinicky.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s upcoming congressional testimony and more of the day’s top stories.

Are You a Federal Worker in Illinois? We Want to Hear From You. As the federal workforce is undergoing layoffs, buyouts and changing policies, WTTW News is looking to hear directly from those impacted. If you have a story to share, or you just want to pass along y...

Are you a federal worker in Illinois? @wttw.bsky.social wants to hear from you!

news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/a...

Crowd members sit in their seats ahead of the WTTW & My Block My Hood My City town hall: the State of our City.

People are filing in to our studio ahead of The State of our City: a WTTW News town hall presented with My Block My Hood My City, starting at 5:30 p.m. tonight.

You can watch the event, moderated by @brandisfriedman.bsky.social, live here: video.wttw.com/livestream/

Welcome to Tax Season. What to Know Before You File The IRS Direct File program, which lets eligible taxpayers file their taxes directly with the IRS for free, is now available in Illinois.

ABF Research Professor @jacobsgoldin.bsky.social joined @wttw.bsky.social Chicago Tonight’s @brandisfriedman.bsky.social to discuss the IRS’s new Direct File program. He was joined by Richard Kaplan of Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Watch the full conversation: news.wttw.com/2025/01/27/w...

Michael Eric Dyson on Affirmative Action, DEI and a 2nd Trump Presidency Author and university professor Michael Eric Dyson is known for his rapid-fire commentary — threading hip-hop lyrics with Bible verses in his signature alliteration to make points about politics, pop ...

Chicago Tonight: @wttw.bsky.social News’ @brandisfriedman.bsky.social sat down with Michael Eric Dyson to get his thoughts on affirmative action, DEI and a second Donald Trump presidency. In classic Dyson fashion, he did not hold back in his critique. news.wttw.com/2025/01/21/m...