Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.
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Two weeks after the opening day of Lollapalooza, the music festival shows no signs of having been a “super spreader event,” the city’s top public health official said Thursday.
Of the approximately 385,000 people who attended, 203 attendees have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said Thursday during a news conference at City Hall. As of Wednesday, none of those who tested positive have had to be hospitalized or have died, Arwady said.
“The bottom line is we’ve not seen anything that has surprised us related to the Lollapalooza outbreak,” Arwady said.
Of the 203 cases, 127 were among vaccinated attendees and 76 were among unvaccinated attendees.
Fifty-eight of the cases are Chicago residents, she said; of those, 13 people reported attending Lollapalooza on or after their symptoms began, Arwady said.
Stefano Esposito has more on the findings following Lollapalooza here.
This summer, Tiana Theiss is back to doing what she loves — diving into the sand to bump the ball for her beach volleyball team.
She started a new league this summer for Players Sport & Social Group, which she joined five years ago. They are among hundreds of players once again packing Montrose Beach on Wednesdays.
It’s all so different from last summer, when the lakefront — and leagues — were shut down.
“Right now, I think people are just happy to be here, and they’re not as much concerned with winning games,” said Theiss, 33, of Wicker Park. “We’ve all had such direly different experiences from the pandemic, and we’re all kind of grieving what we’ve passed through and celebrating a resurgence of normalcy.”
Chicago Sports and Social Club, Players Sport & Social Group and Simply Social Sports all offer adult volleyball, kickball and softball leagues — and all weathered tough times during the pandemic.
Sports is the best way to meet new people and make friends, many players say.
Chicago Sports and Social Club has registered roughly 25,000 members this year, with most sign-ups occurring since the city’s full reopening, according to president Chris Hastings.
This summer, Players Sport & Social Group had close to 20,000 participants in its volleyball, beach volleyball and kickball leagues. An average year, including all seasons, typically registers about 40,000 participants, said Dave Reid, vice president of sports and business.
Games and bar activities after playing are not the only highlights of these leagues. Most offer special programs and events throughout the year, like Chicago Sports and Social Club’s recent Volleywood, a music festival and volleyball tournament on North Avenue beach.
Nichole Shaw has more on the sports leagues here.
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Yesterday, we asked you: “Jeopardy!” today announced its two new hosts: Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik. What do you think of the show’s new Alex Trebek replacements? Here’s what some of you said…
“Mike Richards was a good choice. Mayim Bialik was a safe choice.” — Gale Watson
“I’m very disappointed. I will probably not watch as much.” — Tye Anthony
“I Love Mayim! I think she adds a great personality to the hosting!” — Robin Renwick Cummings
“Mayim is perfect for the show and can stand alone.” — Nancy Sanders
“Both are equally qualified and have good stage presence.” — Richard Daniel
“It was LeVar Burton or Ken Jennings for me.” — Lesa Paczesny
“Mike Richards might maintain some fans of the show, but he sure won’t earn any new ones.” — Keith Lewis
“I do not like either of them. I did not especially care for Alex Trebek, who has been canonized by the show. Art Fleming was by far the best. Jeopardy is a great game and needs a great host.” — Frank Collins
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