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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As millions of Americans return to the skies, some airlines are struggling to meet demand, and deal with a spike in unruly behavior by passengers — mostly over the mask mandate.
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The Biden administration is taking aim at airline fees for things like checked bags and extra legroom — and looking at ways to increase competition in an industry dominated by just four airlines.
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Infrastructure spending is considered one of the few issues on which the two parties can agree, but there are still differences that seem to reflect the nation's broader partisan and cultural divide. -
As infrastructure talks continue, key differences have emerged. Most Republicans want highways and bridges. Democrats do too, as well as money for passenger rail, transit and climate initiatives.
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The ripple effects of decisions made throughout the pandemic could mean disruptions for thousands of passengers throughout the busy summer travel season. -
Interest in international air travel is rising. If you're want to fly out of or into the United States, there's a lot you need to know. Here are answers to key questions.
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United Airlines wants to bring back supersonic air travel, like crossing the Atlantic in three hours — but many have questions about the promise of a net-zero carbon footprint startup.
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As Americans start to fly again, incidents involving unruly airline passengers are taking off. Fights over people refusing to wear masks are especially common.
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There's no universal digital passport yet, it's not clear exactly what kind of proof will be accepted, and paper vaccination cards can be easily forged, damaged or lost. -
As coronavirus restrictions are eased, how will travelers prove they've been vaccinated? Paper vaccination cards can be easily forged, damaged or lost and there's no universal digital passport yet.
