🌱 New DEA Chief To Tackle Opioid Crisis + Poliovirus Water Testing

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Chicago.

But first, today's weather:

Windy with a few flurries. High: 28 Low: 21.

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Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. Sheila Lyons, the new head of the Chicago branch of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has pledged to fight the opioid crisis and the Mexican cartels that are bringing drugs into the area. As the first woman to lead the division, Lyons has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including serving as a special agent in Mexico City, Mexico; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Phoenix, Arizona. She has highlighted the fentanyl crisis as a major issue, which is hitting every demographic in every neighborhood across the country, and she hopes to reduce the number of overdose deaths and hold those responsible accountable. (NBC Chicago)
2. Chicago's Department of Public Health has announced the city's wastewater surveillance program will expand to test for poliovirus. The expansion is a proactive measure to increase the capacity to detect and respond to the virus, which was detected in New York's wastewater samples in July 2022. While city health officials said the risk of contracting poliovirus in the U.S. is extremely low, wastewater testing can assist in detecting and preventing potential future outbreaks. (NBC Chicago)
3. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker visited Malcolm X Community College in Chicago as part of his community college tour to promote his proposed investments in higher education. The governor has been touring the state to gather support for his fiscal year 2024 budget, which includes the Smart Start Illinois plan for early childhood education and universal preschool. The event was held as part of City Colleges of Chicago. (WGN TV Chicago)

Today in Chicago:

• Tanjerine Studios Pop Up At Bon Femmes (10:00 AM)
• Spring Flower Show: Bee's Knees At Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)
• Joshua Bassett: The Complicated Tour At House Of Blues Chicago (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, the statewide death toll is close to 37,000. In Chicago, the death count is about 8,000. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Ever wonder what the most popular cereal in Illinois is? It's Rice Krispies. Cheerios and Lucky Charms came close! (WGN Radio - Chicago)
• Check out the list at the link of 10 places to celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend in Chicago. Just because the day is over doesn't mean celebrations won't continue all weekend! (AOL)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.