>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

CHANGE AT THE TOP AS MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON APPOINT A NEW CHIEF OF STAFF THAT AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

PLAYERS LIKE CAITLIN CLARK, AN ANGEL REESE HAVE BECOME HOUSEHOLD NAMES.

A LOOK AT THE GROWING EXCITEMENT IN POPULARITY OF WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL.

>> MY HERO.

>> AND PENTHOUSE FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS.

2 LOCAL WORLD WAR, 2 VETERANS MEET IN PERSON FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, COOK COUNTY CLERK KAREN YARBROUGH HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED.

A STATEMENT FROM HER OFFICE SAYS SHE'S BEEN ADMITTED WITH A, QUOTE, SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION AND IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT.

HER FAMILY IS REQUESTING PRIVACY AND WE ASK FOR PRAYERS FOR THE CLERK AND HER FAMILY AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

YARBOROUGH WAS ELECTED TO THE POSITION IN 2018.

HER OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR VITAL RECORDS LIKE BIRTH AND MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES AS WELL AS ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS FOR SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY.

SENATE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY'RE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO REFORM THE ILLINOIS PRISONER REVIEW BOARD FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATIONS OF 2 MEMBERS, INCLUDING ITS CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS HAVE RECENTLY GRANTED MANDATORY SUPERVISED RELEASE TO A MAN WHO IS CHARGED WITH KILLING AN 11 YEAR-OLD BOY THE DAY AFTER HIS RELEASE.

REPUBLICANS SAY THEY THINK THE BOARD HAS BECOME POLITICIZED UNDER GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER.

>> JESSICA, SPEAKING.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S PETER B IS MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO REALLY SOMEONE FROM PRISON.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE THAN THE TORIES STAR GRANT PEOPLE LIKE PAULA MULTIPLE HOW KILLERS, CHILD MOLESTERS RAPISTS.

THAT ONE POINT EVEN COOK COUNTY STATE'S TURNING KIM FOXX SAID SHE WAS CONCERNED BY THE RELEASE IS TAKING PLACE FROM THE PRISONER REVIEW BOARD.

>> MEMBERS OF THE CAUCUS ARE PROPOSING MEASURES THAT WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING ORDERS OF PROTECTION AS WELL AS REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO RECEIVE YEARLY TRAINING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ASSAULT.

GOP IS ALSO PROPOSING THAT POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE AT LEAST 20 CUMULATIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS IN JUST A BIT.

IF YOU'RE A PARENT STUDENT OR COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO WANTS TO WEIGH IN ON SAFETY IN CHICAGO, PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> NOW IS YOUR CHANCE.

THE DISTRICT IS SEEKING FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO BEST ENSURE STUDENTS PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY IN FEBRUARY, CHICAGO'S BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED A RESOLUTION REQUIRING CPS TO DEVELOP A NEW SCHOOL SAFETY MODEL THAT ELIMINATES THE USE OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR SRO'S.

YOU HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY TO FILL OUT THE SURVEY WHICH YOU CAN FIND ON OUR WEBSITE TO WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

A 28 YEAR-OLD FINNISH CONDUCTOR IS SET TO BE THE NEXT MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

THE CSO ANNOUNCES KLAUS MAKELA WILL BE THE 11TH MUSIC DIRECTOR IN THE ENSEMBLES 133 YEAR.

HISTORY.

NEW YORK TIMES CALLS MCCULLOUGH PERHAPS THE FASTEST RISING CONDUCTOR OF HIS GENERATION.

MCCULLOUGH WILL BE SUCCEEDING.

ITALIAN CONDUCTOR RICCARDO MUTI WHO HAS SERVED IN THE ROLE SINCE THE 2010 SEASON.

UP NEXT, THE MAYOR TAPS A NEW CHIEF OF STAFF OR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MUCH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> MAYOR JOHNSON'S ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF.

PLUS THE CITY COUNCIL PANEL SOUNDS OFF OVER THE MAYOR'S HANDLING OF THE SHOTSPOTTER CONTRACT AND ILLINOIS.

REPUBLICANS DEMAND CHANGES AT THE STATE'S PRISONER REVIEW BOARD FOLLOWING THE TRAGIC DEATH OF AN 11 YEAR-OLD BOY HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT.

POLITICS TEEN AMANDA BENNETT, THE HEAD OF SHARON AND PARISH SHUTS WELCOME BACKING.

HEATHER, STARTING WITH YOU, PLEASE.

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCING THAT HE'S APPOINTED FORMER STATE SENATOR KRISTINA PAST YOUR KNEES.

I S TO BE HIS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF FOLLOWING THE DEPARTURE FOR ITS 2 WHAT DOES THIS TELL US JOHNSON IS PLANNING TO RUN CITY HALL?

WELL, THEY WERE A PACKAGE DEAL BACK WHEN JOHNSON TOOK OFFICE, IT WAS STUDIOUS AND PAST YOAN ISAIAS.

ONE SORT OF VERY VETERAN OF CITY HALL WHO KNEW WHERE ALL THE BODIES WERE BURIED AND A VERY PROGRESSIVE LEADER WHO IS ABLE TO SORT CHART A NEW COURSE FOR THIS NEW MAYOR.

THIS I THINK WE CAN BE RIP RIDE AS JOHNSON DOUBLING DOWN ON THAT PROGRESSIVE AGENDA.

>> AND SORT OF MAYBE AN INDICATION THAT HE FEELS LIKE DESPITE A VERY TUMULTUOUS 9, 10 MONTHS IN OFFICE THAT IT PERHAPS HE'S READY TO TAKE THE TRAINING WHEELS OFF A LITTLE BIT.

BUT THIS IS A CLEAR SIGN THAT THE MAYOR IS GOING TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE THAT WE HEARD JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THAT HE IS GOING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON HIS AGENDA, SORT OF MAKING CHICAGO A MORE EQUITABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

AND HE'S GOING TO DO THAT IN WAYS THAT THE OLD GUARD PERHAPS FIND VERY CHALLENGING TO ACCEPT NO BACKPEDALING AMANDA, BEYOND HER PROGRESSIVE CREDENTIALS, OF COURSE, BEING THE FIRST LATINA TO HOLD THIS POST.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER QUALITIES THAT SHE BRINGS TO THE POSITION THAT YOU THINK PROMPTED THE MAYOR TO PUT HER IN I DO THINK THAT SHE'S WIDELY RESPECTED.

SHE COMES TO THIS AFTER HAVING SERVED IN THE STATE SENATE RESIGNED FROM THAT POSITION IN ORDER TO MOVE TO CITY HALL.

>> AND SHE WAS KNOWN IS VERY HARD WORKER.

TENACIOUS AND AT THE SAME TIME, KIND TO NOT A BULLYING TOP DOWN SORT OF PERSON.

SO CLEARLY VERY ALSO HARD WORKING COMMITTED GETS IN THERE AND THAT I THINK HAVE RE EMPHASIZE ONCE AGAIN, YES, VERY PROGRESSIVE.

SHE IS TRUE BELIEVER IN THESE IDEALS.

YEAH, I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT SHE'S BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE JOHNSON'S RESPONSE TO THE MIGRANT CRISIS AND SHE HAS OUT FRONT SORT OF ADDRESSING SORT OF THAT REALLY, REALLY FRAUGHT ISSUE.

AND I THINK YOU CAN READ THIS AS AN ENDORSEMENT OF START HER HANDLING OF THAT CRISIS AND SORT MAKING HER EMPOWERED TO SORT OF PERHAPS TAKE MORE OWNERSHIP IN THE FUTURE.

HERE IS WHAT DO YOU THINK HER HEAVY THING TO APPROACH THE ROLE, WHAT YOU THINK OR RELATIONSHIP WILL BE LIKE WITH CITY COUNCIL?

WELL, I MEAN, THE CHIEF OF STAFF HAS TO SORT OF MANAGE EVERYTHING IN THAT OFFICE AND THERE'S A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON THAT GOES REACHES TO CITY COUNCIL.

WHAT ABSOLUTELY DEFINITELY BE DEALING WITH MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

>> PROBABLY SHORING UP SUPPORT WITH THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS SHORING UP SUPPORT WITH WHAT HE KNOWS SOME WHAT HE KNOWS.

PERHAPS NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE MIGRANT CRISIS HAS BEEN HANDLED FAR AND AS HEATHER SAID, SHE HAS BEEN OUT FRONT AND THAT'S WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME WORK THERE.

SHE'S ALSO FORMER STATE SENATOR.

SO IF YOU CAN CALL IN THOSE RELATIONSHIPS IN SPRINGFIELD TO THE MAYOR IS GOING TO NEED SPRINGFIELD CT WHO WANTS A NEW CONTRACT WITH LOTS OF NEW MONEY THAT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE CITY.

THE ONE PLACE THEY CAN GO TO SPRINGFIELD DOESN'T LOOK LIKE SPRINGFIELD WANTS TO REALLY PLAY BALL WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.

MAYBE MAYBE SHE CAN CALL IN SOME CHECKS ON I DON'T AND FROM WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM SEA TO, YOU'D PROBABLY GOING TO COST A LOT.

>> I'M AMANDA, LET'S PIVOT TO SITUATION WITH THE ILLINOIS PRISONER REVIEW BOARD.

REPUBLICANS DEMANDING REFORM AFTER A REVIEW BOARD THE BOARD.

>> RELEASED A FELON WITH A HISTORY OF NEXT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTACKING A FORMER PARTNER.

AND AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, KILLING HER 11 YEAR-OLD SON, JADEN PERKINS.

JUST ONE DAY AFTER HE WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON.

ONE OF THE THAT ILLINOIS GOP WOULD LIKE TO WELL, SO THEY'RE CALLING FOR THE FIRST OF ALL.

THEY HAVE BEEN WANTING AND TRYING TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE PRISONER REVIEW BOARD FOR YEARS, REALLY TRYING TO PRITZKER AS HAVING PROBLEMS AT THIS AGENCY.

AND I WANT REPRESENT NO MATTER WHAT THESE ARE SOME REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO MAKE IN.

SO THERE THERE'S THAT.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING WOULD MAKE THINGS BETTER IS THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE VICTIMS NOTIFICATIONS WHEN SOMEBODY IS RELEASED, ALSO INCREASED TRAINING THEY WANT, AS YOU NOTED, I THINK JUST A BIT AGO, A REQUIREMENT SOMEBODY HAD EXPERIENCE AT LEAST 20 YEARS, WHICH IS A LOT, FRANKLY, IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN SOME WAY BEFORE THEY COULD BE ON THE BOARD.

>> AND THEN ALSO HAVE TALKED ABOUT INCREASING PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO VIOLATE ORDERS OF PROTECTION.

AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING I MEAN, ALL OF THIS AGENDA, SOME OF IT IS GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME, I THINK, BECAUSE FRANKLY, THERE ARE ALREADY A LOT OF VICTIM NOTIFICATION LAWS IN PLACE AND THROUGH THE DEO SEE THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

AND YES, THROUGH THE PRISONER REVIEW BOARD, THERE ARE ALREADY A LOT OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION THE MOTHER WHO WAS ATTACKED, IT SEEMS AS IF SHE LIKELY WAS INFORMED AND THAT IS WHY SHE HAD USED TOOLS AT HER DISPOSAL TO TRY TO PREVENT THIS MAN FROM ATTACKING HER FAMILY AGAIN.

SO THERE ARE SOME CERTAINLY SOME CHALLENGES IN GETTING THESE PAST EITHER BECAUSE SOME OF THEM, I THINK, WILL BE A TOUGH APPETITE FOR SPRINGFIELD TO SWALLOW.

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE PENALTY ENHANCEMENTS, SOME OF I'M NOT SURE ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE THEY'RE SORT OF ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, A VERY TRAGIC YOU KNOW, IS ANY INDICATION BY BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON REFORMS COULD COME.

I MEAN, THE ONLY AGREEMENT IS THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE OR OF THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT LEFT GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAID AS MUCH BUT DIDN'T MENTION WHO HE MIGHT.

>> SEEK TO REPLACE THOSE MEMBERS AND THEN ACCUSE REPUBLICANS OF PLAYING POLITICS, WHICH YES, THERE'S POLITICS BEING PLAYED HERE.

IT IS A POLITICAL IT SPRINGFIELD.

THEIR LAWMAKERS ARE POLITICIANS AND CERTAINLY REPUBLICANS ARE SEIZING ON.

THIS ARE SEIZING ON, YOU KNOW, CONCERNS ABOUT LAW AND ORDER TO TO SORT OF GO AFTER PRITZKER ON THIS ISSUE.

BUT I THINK IT IS POLITICS.

BUT THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY HAVE 2 DIFFERENT SIDES OF VIEWING HOW THIS SHOULD ALL BE HANDLED.

THE PLAY OUT WITH THAT.

>> SAFETY ACT WE'RE SEEING PLAY OUT AGAIN.

SO THERE REALLY ARE PHILOSOPHICAL DISAGREEMENTS HERE.

AND I WILL SAY THEY BOTH AGREE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE INCREASED TRAINING BECAUSE ESPECIALLY WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS BECAUSE IT IS DIFFERENT SORT OF CRIME.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS BEING DONE AND DOESN'T NECESSARILY REQUIRE A STATUTE THAT APPARENTLY IS IN THE WORKS ALREADY.

YEAH, A LOT A LOT WE CAN TALK ABOUT BUT I WANT TO GET TO THIS.

HEATHER CITY COUNCIL PANEL HAS SLAMMED MAYOR JOHNSON.

>> OVER HIS CANCELING OF THE SHOTSPOTTER CONTRACT.

WHY ARE THEY SOUNDING OFF NOW?

BECAUSE WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS WAS DONE WHAT THEY WANT, RIGHT?

WELL, THEY WANT GOOD DECISION TO BE UP FOR GRABS AGAIN AND THEY WANT JOHNSON TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION TO CANCEL THE CITY'S CONTRACT COURSE.

IT DOESN'T END UNTIL NOVEMBER.

SO THEY ARE SORT OF USING THIS SORT OF INTERIM PERIOD TO SORT OF RATCHET UP THE PRESSURE.

NOW, THIS MEASURE THAT ADVANCES SET FOR A FULL VOTE BY THE FULL CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 17TH WOULD BASICALLY MAKE JOHNSON COME TO CITY COUNCIL AND SAY I WANT TO REMOVE SHOTSPOTTER WARD BY WARD.

BUT THAT'S NOT HOW THE SHOTSPOTTER SYSTEM WORKS.

SAID THE POLICE DISTRICTS ARE SET UP ACROSS THE CITY.

THERE ARE 22 IT DOES NOT DIVIDE EQUALLY BY WARD.

THERE'S ALSO NO REAL MECHANISM FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO REQUIRE THE MAYOR TO SORT DO ANYTHING.

NOW, OF COURSE THEY HAVE THE POWER THE PURSE.

IF THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE BUDGET, THEY'RE WELCOME TO DO THAT.

IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME WHETHER THIS IS A LITTLE BIT THEATER, POLITICAL THEATER, PERHAPS TO SORT OF INDICATE THAT THEY ARE UPSET WITH THIS DECISION, WHICH COULD INOCULATE THEM FROM CRITICISM FROM THEIR RESIDENTS COME ELECTION TIME SAYING, HEY, I TRIED, MY HANDS WERE TIED.

I COULDN'T DO IT.

>> THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT JOHNSON IS AT ALL THINKING MAYBE SHOTSPOTTERS THE WAY TO GO.

OKAY.

AND THEN OF COURSE, THERE'S THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S RACE.

IT WAS A NAIL-BITER AND A LINK.

THE ACCOUNT.

WHAT I THINK LIKE A 12, 12 PARIS EILEEN O BERK NARROWLY PREVAILED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY OVER >> OVER CLAYTON HARRIS, WHO WAS BACKED BY THE COOK COUNTY PARTY AS WELL AS A BOARD.

PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE.

HOW'S THE PARTY REACTING TO JUSTICE?

I BERKS >> PARTY CHAIR COOK COUNTY BOARD, PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE REACH OUT AND CONGRATULATE EILEEN O'NEILL BURKE AS THE PARTY NOMINEE.

AND, YOU KNOW, PLEDGING SUPPORT AS SHE IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOMINEE.

AND SHE GOT SUPPORT FROM A LOT OF GOT A LOT OF REPUBLICAN MONEY BECAUSE OF HER TOUGHER STANCE ORBIT.

I WOULD NOTE TO HER AGENDA ISN'T NECESSARILY RIGHT WING AND IT'S SHE SUPPORTS THE SAFETY ACT.

NO CASH BAIL.

SHE HAS TO CAUSE US TO ADMINISTER IT.

SHE SUPPORTS, YOU KNOW, ALTERNATIVES TO JUVENILE DETENTION.

OBVIOUSLY, THE MAIN DIFFERENCE WAS THE BETWEEN HER CLAIM.

HARRIS SAYS SHE WANTS TO A CHARGE FELONIES FOR FOLKS THAT ENGAGE IN RETAIL THEFT, ALLEGEDLY $30300 OR $1000.

YES.

WHAT CAN FOLKS HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY?

ALL RIGHT.

THAT A SPOTLIGHT POLITICS DAY.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

PEREZ SETS A STANDARD BEEN A KEY AND OTHERS AROUND.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> AND THERE'S MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT JUST AHEAD TO STICK AROUND.

FROM CAITLIN CLARK, ANGEL REESE TO PAIGE BECKERS AND JUJU WALK-INS WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS ARE BECOMING HOUSEHOLD NAMES.

LAST NIGHT'S REMATCH BETWEEN IOWA AND LSU HAD MORE THAN 12 MILLION VIEWERS THE ALL MAKING IT.

THE MOST WATCHED WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME ON RECORD ON ESPN PLATFORMS.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE GROWING EXCITEMENT, POPULARITY OF WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ARE ASHLEY BRACY HEAD COACH FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

MELISSA ISAACSON, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

AND MARIA WILLIAMSON, HEAD COACH FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

WELCOME TEAMS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

SO FIRST, I WANT TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF REACTION FROM THE 3 OF YOU TO WATCHING LAST NIGHT'S GAME.

HOW DID YOU WATCH IT?

LIKE WHERE YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT OR STANDING UP THE ENTIRE TIME OR BITING YOUR NAILS.

MELISSA, LET'S START WITH YOU.

PLEASE OVERREACTION AGAIN, FULL DISCLOSURE.

I I WILL GRANT SO I WAS DEUCE TO KOFI US KIND OF FAN LEVEL THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY LIKE SUPERSTITIOUS.

YOU KNOW, OUTFITS.

BUT NO, HONESTLY, IT BRINGS OUT THE FAN YOU KNOW, WHERE WHEELER REALLY, I >> I COULD NOT BE MORE ENGAGED BY THIS TEAM AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE LOVE LOVE, LOVE WATCHING THEM ALL THEM AND CAN OBVIOUSLY.

SHE'S JUST FUN TO WHAT SOME OF THOSE 3 POINTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE.

6 POINTERS ACTUALLY YOUR REACTION EVERYTHING THAT I HAD ANTICIPATED A I WATCH IT ON MY COUCH.

I WANT ANY NOISE AROUND I SEE THE ENTIRE TIME.

BUT JUST INCREDIBLE YOU MANAGED TO STAY IN YOUR SEAT.

AND IF YOU'RE IT WAS THE REACTION.

THE GAME.

>> YEAH, IT WAS.

MEAN, IT LIVED UP TO EVERY PART OF THE EXPECTATION YOU'RE KILLING PARK WAS FANTASTIC.

THE ELLIS WHO STEPPED IMMUNITY GAME.

I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF MY PLAYERS TODAY AND THERE EVERYBODY WAS SO TIRED BY THE END OF THE 1ST HALF.

AND SO IT'S LIKE THEY CAME OUT DELIVERED WITH THEIR TEENS, TOO.

SO IT WAS REALLY FUN TO WATCH HIM IN.

I I MY WIFE AND I WERE SAYING EVERY TIME CAITLIN CLARK, A SHOT OF THE AND YOU KNOW, AND EXCITING.

>> SHE WAS REALLY FAR AWAY FOR SOME OF SO, MELISSA, MANY FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS MOMENT HAS KIND OF RESTED ON CAITLIN CLARK AND HER STAR POWER.

ALSO, OF COURSE, LSU STAR PLAYER INJURIES.

HOW MUCH OF THIS ENTHUSIASM, YOU KNOW, DO YOU THINK IS AROUND, YOU KNOW, STAR POWER OR THE RIVALRY THAT THAT WE'VE HEARD OF BETWEEN THE 2 OF THEM A LITTLE BIT VERSUS JUST MAKING PROGRESS IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S THE RIVALRY IS IS GREAT FUN.

>> I THINK IT'S ENGAGE.

PROBABLY SOME PART OF THE FAN BASE THAT MAYBE ARE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FANS.

BUT THE LEVEL OF PLAY IS SO MUCH FUN AND PERSONALLY BEEN WATCHING WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FOR VERY LONG TIME.

TO IT'S JUST REALLY GOOD BASKETBALL.

REALLY GOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

SO, YES, ALL OF THAT COMBINED FOR THE PERFECT STORM.

YOU'VE GOT THE PERSONALITIES.

YOU'VE GOT THE RIVALRY.

YOU'VE GOT THE REMATCH LAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR'S AND THEN YOU'VE GOT GREAT FASTBALL AND A GREAT UP TO EXPECTATIONS.

MARIA SAID.

>> ASHLEY, HOW WOULD YOU SAY SOME OF THIS ENTHUSIASM THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW AROUND THE GAME COMPARES TO WHEN YOU WERE PLAYING?

MEAN, IT'S IT'S NIGHT AND A HUGE, HUGE AND IT'S REALLY SPECIAL BECAUSE WE POUR OUR HEARTS AND SOULS INTO JUST WHAT WE DO, HOW HARD WE WORK, HOW WE'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP THE GAME ON THE COURT AND JUST TO SEE IT PAYING OFF IS JUST INCREDIBLE AND REALLY SPECIAL FOR WOMEN.

>> MARIA.

ARE YOU SEEING AN IMPACT YOU KNOW, ALL THIS ENTHUSIASM?

IS IT TURNING UP ON CAMPUS A LITTLE BIT AS FAR AS A MORE FANS IN ATTENDANCE WERE PEOPLE INTEREST IN THE GAMES?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I YOU KNOW, TALK TO SOMEONE EARLIER ABOUT THAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD 3 SELLOUTS THIS FOR A CONFERENCE PLAY IN.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE SAY YOU CAN DO ON BASKETBALL TEAM WAS THE BEST SPORTING EVENT TO THEY'VE BEEN THANK YOU, CHICAGO, ON DOES IN THE SAME BREATH ARE COMING UP TO ME TALKING ABOUT CAITLYN CLARK PAIGE BECKERS.

AND SO JUST BECOMING CALLED THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FAN MORE THAN ANYTHING REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE GREATEST IMPACT.

BUT THEN YOU GET PEOPLE IN THE SEATS THAT ARE REALLY EXCITED TO CHEER FOR AND IT JUST MAKES HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> MELISSA, THERE'S ALSO BEEN GETTING LITTLE BIT OF CRITICISM FOR LSU COACH KIM MULKEY.

AH.

BUT THEN THERE'S ALSO BEEN, YOU KNOW, TALK OF HOW SHE'S REACTED TO THAT.

WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO WHAT'S BEEN SAID ABOUT HER?

SHE'S NOT.

>> EVERYBODY'S CUP OF TEA.

YOU KNOW, SHE'S SHE'S GOT A PERSONALITY.

THAT'S OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY STRONG.

IF YOU'RE IN IOWA FAN, YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY LOVER.

BUT IF THE SAME TIME SHE'S WONDERFUL COACH, NOBODY CAN CAN DISPUTE ABILITY AS TEXAS, A NOSE TECHNICIAN.

SHE'S TERRIFIC.

HER PLAYERS ARE DEVOTED THEY LOVE HER.

SHE YOU KNOW, SHE BRINGS A LOT OF SORT OF THE NEGATIVE ATTENTION TO HERSELF.

I THINK MAYBE DESIGN, MAYBE IT HURT KIND OF METHOD AND THIS SORT OF THING.

SO WASHINGTON POST PIECE THAT WAS OUT, MAYBE HALF THE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE READ IT.

ENDED UP READING IF SHE HADN'T HAVE COME OUT AND SAID BEFORE IT CAME OUT, I'M GOING TO SUE THEM.

YOU KNOW, ANYTHING'S TO THE FAMILY OF COURSE IT WASN'T, TOO IS IS A PROFILE GAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SIDES WHO ARE PERSONALITY.

IT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO.

SHE'S GOOD FOR THE GAME AND I'M NOT ONE COULD DISPUTE THAT.

I THINK ALL IN ALL SHE HAD SHOESTRINGS.

SHE DIFFERENT, BUT SHE'S DEFINITELY GOOD FOR THE THE FASHION HAS DEFINITELY BEEN FUN TO WATCH.

NOT JUST HEARD, BUT SOME THE COACHING TEAM AND COACHING STAFF AS WELL.

>> ACTUALLY, THERE'S ALSO LSU PLAYER ANGEL REESE, EMOTIONALLY ADMITTING TO THE ATTACKS THAT SHE'S RECEIVED SINCE VERY CHAMPIONSHIP WIN LAST YEAR.

THERE WAS ALSO, AS WE KNOW, THE BIT OF SMACK TALKING BETWEEN THE 2 PLAYERS THAT WENT VIRAL IN THAT BUT WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT SHE SAYS THAT SHE'S SINCE THAT CHAMPIONSHIP INCREDIBLY SAD?

I MEAN, I WAS ALMOST IN TEARS LISTENING TO HER SPEAK IN THAT PRESS CONFERENCE.

>> I'M JUST AND JUST LIKE WHAT SHE PUTS ON HER SHOULDERS FOR WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, I'M JUST I THINK WE ALL APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY WITHOUT HER.

AND IT'S JUST REALLY SAD THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THE BEAUTY IN BUT ALSO, I JUST HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THE WAY SHE HANDLED HERSELF.

>> MARIA, WHAT'S SORT I GUESS STARTED FORMING A QUESTION HERE.

HAHA.

BUT WHAT WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CONTINUE TO ELEVATE WOMEN'S SPORTS?

>> THIS INCREASE IN COVERAGE YOU DOESN'T GIVE PREPARING FOR THIS.

ONE OF BIGGEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS IS TOGETHER IS YOU KNOW, MEDIA COMPANY THAT SUPPORTS FOR MANY CLEANING WOMAN ATHLETE ACROSS MANY SPORTS AND THEY BROUGHT A LOT OF THEM, BROUGHT A LOT OF ATTENTION TO U.S. P AND ASSIGNS SIGNED A HUGE CONTRACT.

BUT IT'S REALLY JUST BEEN A COMMITMENT TO COVERAGE OF YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T HELP THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CELEBRITIES THAT REALLY BOUGHT INTO IT, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WOMEN ATHLETES BECOME BIGGER CELEBRITIES OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS.

AND BUT YOU YOU KNOW, JASON SUDEIKIS TED LASSO OF THE GAME LAST NIGHT.

YOU KNOW, JUST YOU KNOW, SOMETHING IS ROBBERS, FAMOUS SINGERS.

YOU HAD A LOT OF 100 PEOPLE YOU THROUGHOUT TIME MAKES BIGGER DRAW TO WIN.

SO JUST CONTINUING THAT ATTENTION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> THE OTHER THING THAT WE IT WAS ON THE GAME IS, OF COURSE, A LOT OF A LOT OF COACHES, BUT A LOT THE REFEREE, THE STAFF AS WELL.

THAT'S REFFING THE GAME ALL WOMEN.

I MET A THAT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT FOR FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS TO SEE AS WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF TIME ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT GOT VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR THE 3 OF YOUR PICK TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT MELISSA.

I KNOW YOUR ANSWER BUT GO AT THE SAME TIME.

I DON'T WANT TO JINX THE TEAM.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY, THEY WILL GET PASSED.

UCONN TO SOUTH CAROLINA.

>> IF ANY TEAM CAN BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA TEAMS TO BE IOWA UP FOR WHATEVER REASON THEIR MATCHUPS SEEM TO WORK WITH SOUTH CAROLINA.

SO >> COULD SAY IT OUT LOUD, BUT YOU NO LONGER IN >> I GOT A SOUTH CAROLINA.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SCOUTING AND STONE STALEY DURING MY TIME AT UNIVERSITY MISSOURI.

SHE'S INCREDIBLE COACH.

AND I JUST THINK THEY'RE THEY HAVE DEPTH OF THEIR PACE, PHYSICALITY, EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

ALL RIGHT, MARIA, YOUR TERM.

>> YES, SOUTH CAROLINA.

DAWN STALEY IN CULTURE.

AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THEY 8 PLAYERS EVEN COME OFF THE BENCH REALLY WREAK HAVOC.

SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE TAKE IT ALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SHOULD BE A GREAT FINAL 4 LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

MARIA WILLIAMSON, ASHLEY, MELISSA, THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US FOR IN THE AIR.

UP NEXT, A MEETING OF 2 WORLD WAR, 2 VETERANS MORE THAN 80 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

IT'S A HISTORIC MEETING 80 YEARS IN THE MAKING LATE LAST WEEK EVANSTON, NURSING HOME TO LOCAL WORLD WAR.

2 VETERANS ASSOCIATED WITH A DEADLY SHIP EXPLOSION OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN MET IN PERSON FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

THEIR LIVES WERE SPARED.

ONE OF MIGHT WANT TO TRACK US IS JUST SHY OF HIS 100ND BIRTHDAY.

AND MARVIN HELEN IS 97.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE ON HAND TO WITNESS THE HISTORIC MOMENT.

AND PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE STORY.

>> MARVIN ELLMAN ON YOUR RIGHT SERVED AS A MINESWEEPER DURING WORLD WAR.

2 ON THE EVENT AM 3.71 ON DECEMBER.

29TH OF 1945.

SHORTLY AFTER THE WAR'S CONCLUSION, THE SHIP HIT A MINE OFF THE COAST OF OKINAWA AND SUNK IN 3 MINUTES.

ELMAN SURVIVED.

CAPTAIN COLD OUT.

BATHING SHIP IN MY JOB WAS TO GO UP TO QUARTERBACK AND REALLY NEEDS FOR ELMAN SAYS HE JUMPED ON A RAFT AND WAS EVENTUALLY RESCUED BY A JAPANESE ROWBOAT.

ON YOUR LEFT IS MYRON TRACK US WHO SERVED AS A MOTOR MACHINIST ON THE USS MERLOT.

AM 3.72 HE LIKES TO SAY HE WAS SAVED THAT DAY BY THE ALPHABET AS HE BARELY MISSED THE CUT OFF TO BOARD THE AM 3.71 I WAS RENAMED >> I WAS A ASSIGNED TO 3 SHOVE AND 2.

HISTORY.

71 HIT A MINE SHAMBURG.

29, THANK FOR FLY.

CERTAINLY ONE OF THE CREW KILLED ALONG WITH FRONT PAGE.

>> THE TRACK IS IS A LONGTIME FORMER VILLAGE OFFICIAL IN NORWICH AND HIS PHOTOGRAPH IS ON DISPLAY AT O'HARE AIRPORT.

THE TRACK REACHED OUT TO ELM AND MORE THAN 60 YEARS AGO TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION ON THE DOWN SHIP AND THE PEOPLE LOST THAT THE 2 STRUCK UP A REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE AND BEAUTIFUL I DON'T IN RECENT MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS LONGTIME WIFE ELMAN MOVED FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE TO AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY IN EVANSTON SETTING UP THE FIRST FACE-TO-FACE MEETING BETWEEN THE 2 LONGTIME TODAY IS A HAPPY ONE THAT I MY FRIEND, MY >> IT'S JUST ROOM BECAUSE YOU'RE BRINGING WANT MY ROOM AND HE HELPED USE MY HERO.

THAT RACCAH SAYS WEEKS SHY OF HIS 100ND BIRTHDAY AND NOW LIVES IN CAROL STREAM.

>> ELMAN SAYS THIS MIGHT BE THE FIRST MEETING BETWEEN THE 2 VETERANS BUT HOPEFULLY NOT THE LAST.

HOW'S IT FEEL TO MEET IN PERSON?

I LOVE THEM.

I THIS IS AND HE YOU CAN HAVE >> AS PARIS SHOTS, FUN FACT TO TRACK FIRST CONTACTED ELLMAN VIA WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE IN 1960.

THAT WAS 64 YEARS AGO.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO.

TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND VISIT CHICAGO TO TALK ABOUT EFFORTS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

BEYONCE HAS GOT A NEW ALBUM CASE.

YOU DIDN'T KNOW A LOOK AT THE BLACK COUNTRY.

ARTISTS WHO CAME BEFORE HER.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS PROUD TO BE A MULTI-LINGUAL LAW FIRM THAT