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 pandemic got more people riding bikes, but the number of cyclists hit and killed by cars is rising at an alarming rate. "We're buying materials for ghost bikes in bulk," one cycling advocate says. -
Domestic air travel demand this spring is back to pre-pandemic levels. But airlines see headwinds as the war in Ukraine drives up jet fuel prices and air fares and has international travel lagging -
Business & EconomyGasoline prices hit record highs last week, so politicians in both parties proposed suspending state and federal gas taxes. But some warn such tax "holidays" may cut funding for needed road repairs. -
Russian airlines can no longer get spare parts or technical support for their Airbus and Boeing planes. -
The profession is overwhelming white and male. As baby boomers retire, airlines seek to knock down barriers for women and people of color to refill the pilot ranks. -
The FAA's order prohibiting Russian flights from entering U.S. airspace is now in effect. Russia is expected to respond in kind, forcing airlines to take longer routes around the massive country -
Business & EconomyThe 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. -
Business & EconomyThe 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. -
Thousands of people lost their homes and businesses in the tornadoes that tore through Kentucky last week. Now, residents are sorting out how to move forward and whether or not to rebuild.
