The must-read news stories for Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013
An F/A-18F Super Hornet performs a touch and go on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea. | Lyle Wilkie/Getty Images
U.S. military ready for possible Syria strike
At least four destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea are poised to strike Syria if President Obama gives the order, as the United States prepares to formally declare chemical weapons were used. U.S. officials said the growing intelligence pointed strongly toward Bashar Assad’s government as the culprit — a claim Assad called “preposterous.” [Sun-Times, Voices]
Pat Brady teams up with ACLU
Ex-Illinois GOP chair Pat Brady has been hired by the ACLU to lobby state lawmakers on passing same-sex marriage. [Sun-Times]
Students sweat it out
“We were constantly bringing them for water and little breaks. One kid would get hot and upset. I would take him for a little walk, with hair stuck to the face.” [Sun-Times]
Goodbye, Purple Hotel
Demolition has begun on Lincolnwood’s iconic Purple Hotel. [Sun-Times]
Chicago’s trash
How much more garbage does Chicago produce in 2012 than 1910? A whole lot more. [WBEZ]
Yosemite fire rages
A wildfire raging in northern California is now the size of Chicago. [CNN]
Recession recovery?
It might be officially over, but for a lot of Americans, the effects of the recession are still very real. [Business Insider]
Starbucks won’t cut benefits
Starbucks has announced they will not be joining the ranks of companies reducing hours or benefits ahead of ObamaCare’s implementation. [Huffington Post]
An ode to the Shedd’s otter
Maybe we should keep a little perspective on the 23-year-old otter that died at the Shedd Aquarium last weekend. [Gawker]
Donuts? Go nuts
A donut for any occasion, a donut for every co-worker. [Grid Chicago]
The Bright One
George Packer’s he said/she said on the merits of intervening in Syria is some food for thought. [The New Yorker]
Commute
Sudoku; Weather; Traffic; CTA; Metra; Flight delays
And finally
Burger King is going to toss a few French Fries on your burger and call it a day. [AP]
