Welcome to RedEye Rush Hour, your breakdown of news to help you pass the time while you’re surviving your commute.
Put down your damn phones
What’s up: Midwestern drivers are the worst in the nation—IN THE NATION—when it comes to texting and driving and racing through yellow lights, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. drivers.
Why you care: Well, if you’re a licensed driver who’s ever been stuck behind an idiot who hasn’t realized the light is green, you’re probably behind one of the 17.1 percent of Midwesterners that cops to texting while behind the wheel. And a whopping 40.7 percent of us admitted to speeding through yellow lights, which is dangerous, sure, but also really time saving. Ain’t nobody got time to wait around, especially at Chicago’s ridiculous intersections.
Soundbite: “I think people are often times wrapped up in their own worlds, in their own day-to-day events,” said Hartmann, secretary of the Illinois High School & College Driver Education Association. “They tend to drive for themselves and forget there’s a whole world out there and everyone else is trying to get somewhere as well.”
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“For better or for worse.”
What’s up: Time magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump as its Person of the Year.
Why you care: After the presidential election, it’s hard to think of someone who influenced the news like Trump has in the past year. In fact, it’s damn near impossible. Time’s managing editor, Nancy Gibbs, said Time gives the title to the person who has had the greatest influence on events “for better or for worse.” Welp, they have a point there.
Soundbite: “When have we ever seen a single individual who has so defied expectations, broken the rules, violated norms, beaten not one but two political parties on the way to winning an election that he entered with 100-to-1 odds against him?” Gibbs said.
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.So long, Soler
What’s up: The Cubs are trading outfielder Jorge Soler for Kansas City Royals’ pitcher Wade Davis.
Why you care: The deal will be sealed once physical examinations are complete, but it could be telling for more than just Soler’s future. The trade could accelerate the free-agent market for game 7 winning pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who received an offer from the New York Yankees. Is it next season yet?
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