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We’re past peak fall color but it’s still stunning outside. Jump into the new week with these stories on butterflies, charter school closures and Halloween events.
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(Credit: Pixabay)
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The decline of the monarch butterfly population has become a symbol of biodiversity loss planet-wide and spawned a collective conservation effort to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
Now, a newly published study suggests human interventions to save the insect — however well-intentioned — may be doing more harm than good. They combed through 17 years of observational data on roost sizes during monarchs’ annual fall migration to Mexico. They found a stable breeding population in the north, but then a consistent decrease in roost size as the butterflies made their way south — falling off by as much as 80% — indicating something was going awry along the route.
“The monarchs are increasingly failing to reach their winter destinations,” Andy Davis, lead author of the study, said in a statement. “Either they’re losing their ability to migrate or they’re losing their will to migrate.”
Researchers identified two likely culprits.
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One is the misguided planting of non-native tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), milkweed being the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs and monarch caterpillars eat, which has been linked to the spread of a deadly parasite among monarchs.
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Two is the practice of captive-rearing monarch caterpillars, which are then released back into their natural environment after emerging as butterflies.
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“All of the evidence we have shows that when monarchs are reared in a captive environment, either indoors or outdoors, they’re not as good at migrating,” Davis said.
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(Submitted photo)
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The Acero charter network announced it would close seven campuses by the end of the school year — impacting more than 2,000 students and 270 teachers. The charter school network cites declining enrollment, rising personnel and facility costs, and a $40 million deficit. But parents and teachers are now pushing back, calling for Chicago Public Schools to absorb the closing schools. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates supports this idea and issued a letter demanding CPS action.
Here’s what else happened:
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On Friday, parents and community members held a protest outside Rufino Tamayo Elementary , an Acero School in Gage Park. Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) attended.
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Last Tuesday, Lopez met with 60 parents to discuss their concerns and frustration. He wrote letter to the Acero Schools Board of Directors stating, “‘This decision will negatively impact hundreds of students in Gage Park, Chicago Lawn, West Englewood, Brighton Park and surrounding communities.”
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A Metra train is pictured against the Chicago skyline in a file photo. (Rudy Balasko / iStock)
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Here’s a list of hair-raising reasons to climb out of your casket and explore how Chicago is celebrating Halloween. Note: We avoided anything that calls itself “spooktacular.” You can read all 13 (see, spooky numbers) of Marc Vitali’s picks here.
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Back in the Day: October 21, 2014 - Bill Clinton, Chris Christie Stump For (Different) Illinois Gubernatorial Candidates
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A decade ago, it was election season in the state. While it wasn’t a presidential campaign, the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial race was in full swing. On the Democratic side, there was incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, who had served as Rod Blagojevich’s lieutenant governor from 2002 to 2009, was appointed to the job when Blago was impeached and squeaked by to win the 2010 election. Republicans had private equity businessman Bruce Rauner. On this day 10 years ago, Rauner recruited New Jersey’s then-Gov. Chris Christie to campaign while Quinn had former President Bill Clinton on the trail. Christie brought up his success as a Republican in a blue state while Clinton talked about the importance of good jobs and Quinn’s record. The next day, Quinn and running mate Paul Vallas recruited then-VP Joe Biden to stump for their campaign. Rauner would eventually win the election, marking to this date the only time a Republican had won a statewide race since 2010.
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Get Involved With This Week’s Civic Meetings and Events
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Every Monday, we bring you a week’s worth of select public meetings, civic happenings and other ways to stay connected to your community.
The Chicago City Council has another busy week with a host of meetings. Here’s some of the highlights:
On Tuesday the full City Council is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. for a fairly standard meeting before the mayor unveils his big budget plan next week.
Then on Wednesday, the Public Safety Committee will hold a hearing on missing women in the city.
And on Friday, the Housing and Real Estate Committee will discuss a referendum and potential revenue uses for a state income tax on earners making more than $1 million.
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Tell us about the last concert you attended in Chicago. What did you see and where was it? |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM |
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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