David Schaper
David Schaper is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk, based in Chicago, primarily covering transportation and infrastructure, as well as breaking news in Chicago and the Midwest.
In this role, Schaper covers aviation and airlines, railroads, the trucking and freight industries, highways, transit, and new means of mobility such as ride hailing apps, car sharing, and shared bikes and scooters. In addition, he reports on important transportation safety issues, as well as the politics behind transportation and infrastructure policy and funding.
Since joining NPR in 2002, Schaper has covered some of the nation's most important news stories, including the Sandy Hook school shooting and other mass shootings, Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, California wildfires, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and numerous other disasters. David has also reported on presidential campaigns in Iowa and elsewhere, on key races for U.S. Senate and House, governorships, and other offices in the Midwest, and he reported on the rise of Barack Obama from relative political obscurity in Chicago to the White House. Along the way, he's brought listeners and online readers many colorful stories about Chicago politics, including the corruption trials and convictions of two former Illinois governors.
But none of that compares to the joy of covering his beloved Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016, and three Stanley Cup Championships for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Prior to joining NPR, Schaper spent almost a decade working as an award-winning reporter and editor for WBEZ/Chicago Public Media, NPR's Member station in Chicago. For three years he covered education issues, reporting in-depth on the problems and progress — financial, educational and otherwise — in Chicago's public schools.
Schaper also served as WBEZ's Assistant Managing Editor of News, managing the station's daily news coverage and editing the reporting staff while often still reporting himself. He later served as WBEZ's political editor and reporter; he was a frequent fill-in news anchor and talk show host. Additionally, he has been an occasional contributor guest panelist on Chicago public television station WTTW's news program, Chicago Tonight.
Schaper began his journalism career in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as a reporter and anchor at Wisconsin Public Radio's WLSU-FM. He has since worked in both public and commercial radio news, including stints at WBBM NewsRadio in Chicago, WXRT-FM in Chicago, WDCB-FM in suburban Chicago, WUIS-FM in Springfield, Illinois, WMAY-AM in Springfield, Illinois, and WIZM-AM and FM in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Schaper earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications and history at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a master's degree in public affairs reporting at the University of Illinois-Springfield. He lives in Chicago with his wife, a Chicago Public School teacher, and they have three adult children.
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The families of 346 people who died in two Boeing crashes want the DOJ to rescind a settlement that protects Boeing and its executives from criminal prosecution but the DOJ stands behind the deal. -
The combined airline would offer 1,000 daily flights to more than 145 destinations in 19 countries and directly add 10,000 jobs by 2026. But consumer advocates have their doubts. -
The FAA says Verizon and AT&T can turn on more 5G cellphone towers as safety concerns over interference with planes eases. But some smaller regional jets still face restrictions. -
The activation of 5G wireless service over the last week did not result in the widespread flight disruptions that the major airlines had feared. It did, however, hurt regional airlines.
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The two telecom giants have agreed to limit the 5G rollout amid concerns that the high-speed wireless service could interfere with safety equipment on some aircraft.
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The FAA says 5G service could interfere with critical navigation systems on some aircraft and will restrict flights into some airports, which could lead to widespread delays and cancellations. -
Verizon and AT&T will be launching 5G mobile service Wednesday. They agreed to delay implementation near some airports, as airlines say 5G could interfere with sensitive safety equipment on planes.
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The Telecom industry agreed to delay the launch of 5G wireless services to try to resolve concerns that 5G signals can interfere with automated systems that pilots use when landing in poor weather.
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COVID-related sickouts, coupled with bad weather, are creating a nightmare scenario for some airlines and passengers.
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A new report finds congestion is up since 2020, though still below pre-pandemic levels. Some of the worst congestion is in Chicago, where drivers lost on average 104 hours sitting in their cars.
