The must-read news stories for Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz, center) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky., left). | Susan Walsh/AP
Senate panel votes to authorize Syria strikes
President Obama’s plan to take military action against Syria for its Aug. 21 chemical-weapons attack on civilians, including children, advanced another step, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee offering bipartisan support. But the 10-7 vote presented bipartisan opposition, as well — John McCain (R-Ariz.) was a yes, while Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was a no. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) was a Democratic yes, while Tom Udall (D-N.M.) voted no. The measure now moves to the full Senate, which is expected to reconvene and vote next week. Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet has a breakdown of how our state lawmakers stand on a Syria strike. [New York Times, Voices]
Whole Foods in Englewood
The grocery store will open a location at 63rd and Halsted in 2016 thanks in part to a $10 million city TIF subsidy. But it won’t technically be located in a food desert, the Trib reports, and it remains to be seen how affordable the food will be, according to a DNAinfo price check of Whole Foods vs. Aldi. [Sun-Times, Tribune, DNAinfo Chicago]
Brian the babbler
The Bears maybe should have gone ahead and offered Brian Urlacher two more years with the team just to keep his mouth shut a little longer. Yesterday he said what we all know: Sometimes players fake injuries to slow down fast offenses and allow the defense to catch its breath. But now we know the specific sideline signal directed at the “designated dive guy” on the eve of the season when all we want to do is ignore all of the game’s unpleasantness. [Sun-Times]
Passing on Safe Passage?
After just one week on duty, half of the Safe Passage workers in Roseland — who are paid $10 per hour to keep an eye on CPS students on their way to school — have quit. [CBS 2 Chicago, Voices]
Kidnapper Castro dead
Convicted Cleveland abducter Ariel Castro apparently hanged himself in his cell with a bed sheet last night. One of his attorneys questioned prison policies. [Columbus Dispatch]
Dog fall
A dog fell 43 stories from a high-rise in the Loop. [Sun-Times]
Obama’s ice-breaker
Even in Sweden, President Obama can take advantage of his sports-related folksy charm to break the ice before talking war. He thanked Sweden today for its contributions to the Stanley Cup-winning Blackhawks roster. [Voices]
Keeping the team together
Speaking of Swedish Hawks, Niklas Hjalmarsson just inked a five-year contract extension. [Voices]
Lovin’ it?
McDonald’s could launch big changes to its Dollar Menu this year, including new non-dollar price points, like $2 and $5. Prices so good they had to double and quintuple them! [Sun-Times]
The Bright One
Neil Steinberg provides a glimpse into Chicago’s climate in 2080. Think Kansas. And gingko biloba. [Voices]
Commute
Sudoku; Weather; Traffic; CTA; Metra; Flight delays
And finally
A different reason to make a face in Wrigleyville these days: Jeppson’s Malort pizza at Dimo’s. [DNAinfo Chicago]
