1. After the deadliest January in a decade, Chicago had less murders this February than in any month since 1957, according to the Chicago Police Department. Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said he was encouraged by the numbers but the focus on preventing homicides would stay the same.
2. At midnight tonight, $85 billion will be cut from the federal budget unless a deal on the so-called “sequester” can be brokered between Republicans and Democrats. According to a publication from the White House, if the sequester goes into effect Illinois could lose $33.4 million in funding for education, another $24.7 million for special education, about $6.4 million in funding to help secure clean air and water, $764,000 to provide meals to seniors and $1.4 million in job search assistance along with other cuts.
3. In the midst of sagging stock prices, Groupon fired its CEO Andrew Mason yesterday. Mason, 32, was the founder of the global Internet coupon company.
4. Rape crisis centers have a new source of funding, thanks to a strip club tax that went into effect in January. Sexual assault victims advocates say the “skin tax” is “fantastic,” according to a recent story on Chicago Talks.
5. In the second part of its ongoing series on Chicago Public Schools potentially slated to close in Austin, Austin Talks explored the devastating impact it would have on the community if May Community Academy were shut down.
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