Ben Bradley

@BenBradleyTV • 32,274 subscribers

5-7pm news anchor and investigative reporter @WGNNews. Tweet or email me your tips: [email protected] And to those who tweet at me: Try not to be terrible.

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Ben Bradley

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3 Chicago high schools have fewer than 100 students. 13 CPS high schools are at least 80% empty. And yet school closings are the third rail of Chicago politics. WGN Investigates digs into it Thursday at 9p on WGN TV News

NEW: Video released by Loevy &amp; Loevy appears to show Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino throwing tear gas during Thursday confrontation in Little Village. Attorneys say it *could* violate judge's order which requires officers to be facing imminent threat.

Videos

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A shooting this afternoon at Oakbrook Center. It happened at 12:40p. Police tell us there is *not* an ongoing threat. We'll update the story at the link in comments. Video courtesy: Citizen app

Torrential downpour right now (12:55p) at Irving Park Road and Elston in Chicago. Latests warnings and coverage:

Why are so many Chicago Public Schools so empty... and why are so few people talking about it?

WGN TV News Incredible images of a tornado on the ground in LaSalle County, IL near Streator. LIVE COVERAGE: WGN TV News NWS Chicago

When did it become okay for politicians to talk like this? And before you assign all the blame to President Trump, let's acknowledge that democrats do it too (they're just not as good at it).

Here's what people get wrong when talking about Chicago crime...

View from Chicago Highlands golf club in Westchester, IL this evening during a tornado warning. WGN TV News Video courtesy: Paul Schlimm

This is the tornado warned storm as it moved through Hampshire, IL a short time ago. Tornado warning for NW Cook County and E Kane County until 6:45pm. Live coverage continues on air:

A suburban mayor demanded I apologize after we reported on tens-of-thousands of dollars charged to his city credit card. When we next met, we both brought receipts. Full story on WGN TV News at 9pm.

The Lake Shore Drive bridge over the Chicago River got stuck and has been closed for several hours. The City blames the heat. Inspection records show "intolerable" conditions and "advance deterioration" was noted in 2024 with some items "high priority for correction."

13 Chicago high schools are at least 80% empty. 35% of CPS schools are less than half-full. 1 high school had just 28 students last year. We brought our reporting to a national audience on NewsNation with Keleigh Beeson ...

A lot of people on this platform seem to delight in viewing Chicago as a crime-infested hellhole. They might be surprised to learn murders have been cut in half in 4 years &amp; are on track to be the lowest in more than a decade. Here's my conversation with Chicago's top cop...

WATCH: When a reporter tried to ask Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson's picks for school board if they support $300M loan, Johnson called the question "disrespectful" and said they could answer *after* they're appointed.

Not sure new DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin thought through his threat to pull Customs agents from sanctuary city airports including O'Hare. 70% of arriving international passengers never leave the airport... they connect to other flights, many to non-sanctuary cities.

Chicago Public Schools spending on travel has doubled since 2019. The staff trips included safaris, hot air balloon rides and Vegas visits. We dig into it...

If you're among those hoping there's still a chance the Bears will reach a deal to build a new stadium on Chicago's lakefront, here's why a small group poses a big hurdle to that happening...

What's the difference between 3M views and a few thousand? A whole lot of rage. Our "tip of the hat" at the end of the show... is to you. At least those of you who get the bulk of your news from journalists as opposed to content creators.

13 Chicago high schools are at least 80% empty. 35% of CPS schools are less than half-full. Should Chicago close schools? The candidates for CPS board president were asked about our reporting during a WTTW - Chicago PBS debate.

When Bob Prevost needed to update his mailing address with his bank back home in Chicago, he made the call himself. The banker told him he'd have to stop by a branch in person. The rest is customer service comedy gold.....

NEW: Video released by Loevy & Loevy appears to show Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino throwing tear gas during Thursday confrontation in Little Village. Attorneys say it could violate judge's order which requires officers to be facing imminent threat.

A shooting this afternoon at Oakbrook Center. It happened at 12:40p. Police tell us there is not an ongoing threat. We'll update the story at the link in comments. Video courtesy: Citizen app

A lot of people on this platform seem to delight in viewing Chicago as a crime-infested hellhole. They might be surprised to learn murders have been cut in half in 4 years & are on track to be the lowest in more than a decade. Here's my conversation with Chicago's top cop...

WATCH: When a reporter tried to ask Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson's picks for school board if they support $300M loan, Johnson called the question "disrespectful" and said they could answer after they're appointed.